Canker Sores: Causes And Treatment

Canker sores are often caused by minor trauma. However, they can also be due to infection or systemic disease. Find out in this article.

You have probably had or heard of canker sores. These are oral lesions that appear on the mucous membrane that lines the entire oral cavity – cheeks, lips, gums.

This is a very common situation. These canker sores are very troublesome and sensitive to many foods. For example, if you have one and drink orange juice or something too hot, the pain increases.

The location and shape of these lesions can vary, as can their cause. In fact, they can be caused by something as simple as a bite or be a symptom of a more complicated systemic process. They can even be the first sign of an infection.

In this article, we explain the main reasons for the appearance of canker sores. We will also talk about basic measures to treat and cure them as quickly as possible.

Why do canker sores appear?

Canker sores most often appear in one form. In other words, it’s usually a single, round, whitish lesion surrounded by a swollen area. Their size usually does not exceed 8 millimeters.

However, canker sores are sometimes multiple. When this happens, the lesions usually do not exceed 3 millimeters. There are also cases where these lesions are larger and unique, and their healing is more complex.

These differences in size and number lie mainly in the cause that produces them. For example, as we have already mentioned, it is normal to find a single wound due to a small bite. The other most common causes are:

• Any intervention by the dentist, in particular the use of orthodontics and dental appliances.
• Viral infections : The herpes virus is usually linked to multiple, small wounds in the mouth.
• Stress and hormonal changes : more common in women, because the hormonal alteration is more intense.
• Tobacco : Canker sores can be caused by a burn from smoking or even by the toxic substances in tobacco.
• Many drugs can cause them, especially those used for chemotherapy. Radiotherapy for certain cancers is also often linked.

Systemic causes

In addition to the aforementioned causes, many pathologies can lead to canker sores. First of all, it should be noted that any nutritional deficiency can cause them. For example, when there is a lack of iron or vitamins.

Behçet’s disease is a condition characterized by inflammation of the blood vessels. It causes damage to different organs of the body and also manifests itself as mouth sores which tend to recur.

On the other hand, it is common for people with inflammatory bowel diseases to have these lesions in the mouth. The same goes for celiac disease. In addition, any condition that causes sores and blisters on the skin, such as pemphigus, can be the cause.

How are canker sores treated?

Most canker sores, as we have already seen, are mild. This means that they resolve on their own and usually do not require treatment. However, if there is no obvious cause, such as trauma, and they tend to recur, it is advisable to investigate the cause.

While it is true that there is no reason to treat them, there are certain products that speed healing and facilitate it. For example, hyaluronic acid, which is sold in the form of creams and ointments. Also, you should avoid foods that can irritate the wound even more.

On the other hand, if the cause is an infection, the ideal is to treat this pathology. The same is true when mouth sores are secondary to medication: if they can be replaced, it is recommended to do so.

If the discomfort is very severe, mouthwashes containing anesthetics such as lidocaine may be used. Others are composed of corticosteroids to reduce the inflammatory process.

What should be clear is that if the canker sores are too bothersome or appear repeatedly, a doctor should be consulted. Oral lesions can be a symptom of a deficiency or a disease that needs to be looked at and treated.