Mouth Ulcer - Canker Sore
A painful sore that is usually red with a white coating appearing inside the mouth is a mouth ulcer or canker sore. These sores can appear in different parts of the mouth; inside the lips, inside cheeks, on the gum or under the tongue. They differ from fever blisters/cold sores in that fever blisters are usually on the outside of the lips also they are not contagious.
Young women in their teens and twenties are more prone to canker sores. Though the cause of these sores are not known, it is thought they might be caused by stress, poor nutrition, allergies to food and menstrual periods.
In severe cases, the sore can be as large as an inch wide and may leave scars. Usually more than one sore will erupt at a time. The duration of healing time is around two weeks.
They are not thought to be inherited, even though some family members all share the same experience of having canker sores. Some people will only have one or two episodes of canker sores a year, while others have them most of the time.
Virus is not the cause of a canker sore, but an allergy to a specific bacteria found in the mouth may be the cause, or may simply be an allergic reaction to certain kinds of food. An immune system not working correctly may trigger the sores, but they are not connected to any disease. Some studies have found nutritional deficiencies can cause canker sores, such as vitamin B12, folic acid and iron. Persons with gastrointestinal problems sometimes have reoccurring canker sores, due to their digestive problems.
More women have these mouth ulcers than men do, so it is figured perhaps the female sex hormones contribute to the problem. During the menstrual cycles, many women have occurrences of canker sores, but during pregnancy are not bothered with them. Hormone therapy has been used successfully in the treatment of women. An injury to the mouth can bring on this type of mouth ulcer. Also, stress is a factor in bringing on a sore.
There are blood and allergy tests one can have to find out what may be causing the sores. If it's found to be a nutritional deficiency, then vitamin supplements can be taken to prevent these sores from forming. If there is a food allergy found, then avoiding those foods will help to cut down on the occurrence of these mouth ulcers.
Treatments for relieving the pain are benzocaine, which can be purchased over-the-counter without prescription. Anti-inflammatory mouth rinses require a prescription and are usually only given in severe cases. The mouth rinses work to reduce the pain and do help in healing. Using the tetracycline mouth rinse several times a day will start to reduce the pain in around twenty-four hours. However, the tetracycline can permanently stain teeth in children.
Canker sores can be a lot more painful than fever blisters since the sore is inside the mouth. Eating, drinking, brushing teeth all can irritate the sore. It's wise to avoid foods that are salty, such as potato chips and popcorn; also acidic and spicy foods. Care should be taken when brushing teeth so as not to jab the gums or cheek with the brush.
Researchers have found in analyzing peoples' immune systems a difference in ones who are susceptible to canker sores and those who are not. They have not yet determined whether a weak immune system is a cause for these mouth ulcers.
New drugs are being tested and developed to treat canker sores and some appear to be effective, but they first have to be approved by the FDA.
Michael Russell Your Independent guide to Lake Tahoe