What are canker sores?
Canker sores are small ulcers in the mouth. They look like gray-white wells with a red border. They occur on the inside of the cheeks and lips, and on the side or underside of the tongue. Canker sores hurt, especially if you want something salty, sour or sharp crossed eat or drink. They are not dangerous.
Usually, the ulcers are small (three to five millimeters). However, some people get canker sores that do are two centimeters. Also, small ulcers "merge" into one or more large ulcers. Large ulcers can be very painful.
Canker sores are very common. Especially people get under forty years to do it. Women are more often affected than men.
What causes canker sores?
How ulcers cause is not clear. They probably caused by a combination of factors. Possible causes include:
- Reduced resistance, for example by stress, unhealthy eating or cold.
- Small lesions of the oral mucosa. For example, by (too) hard brushing.
- Food allergies.
- Hormones. This applies only to women.
- The use of drugs that suppress the immune system.
- The use of certain analgesics, such as ibuprofen and aspirin.
- Lack of iron, vitamin B12 or folic acid.
In Behçet's disease are ulcers usually the first symptom. In this disease occur more sores on the genitals.
Canker sores are also sometimes a phenomenon at a bowel disease, e.g. Crohn's disease or celiac disease.
Treatment for canker sores
Canker sores usually go away by itself after one or two weeks. To avoid pain as much as possible, you should not spicy, salty or acidic food and drink.
Are you still bothered by the canker sores, you can purchase a remedy for the pain in the pharmacy. For example, a liquid that touches on the canker sores. Most of these agents containing the substance lidocaine. They do nothing against canker sores themselves, but only help the pain. Ask your pharmacist which product is right for you.
Help these funds are not enough if you have very often canker sores? Just go to the doctor. Who can prescribe other drugs. For example, lozenges containing corticosteroids or a mouthwash with a disinfecting agent. The canker sores heal faster result.