Canker sore what is

Canker sores may also be linked to problems with the body's immune system. The sores may also be brought on by:. Anyone can develop a canker sore.

Women are more likely to get them than men. Canker sores may run in families. Canker sores most often appear on the inner surface of the cheeks and lips, tongue, upper surface of the mouth, and the base of the gums.

Pain often goes away in 7 to 10 days. It can take 1 to 3 weeks for a canker sore to completely heal. Large ulcers can take longer to heal. If canker sores persist or continue to return, tests should be done to look for other causes, such as erythema multiforme , drug allergies , herpes infection, and bullous lichen planus.

You may need further testing or a biopsy to look for other causes of mouth ulcers. Canker sores are not cancer and do not cause cancer. There are types of cancer, however, that may first appear as a mouth ulcer that does not heal. Canker sores almost always heal on their own.

The pain should decrease in a few days. Other symptoms disappear in 10 to 14 days. Diseases of the mouth and salivary glands. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; chap Dhar V. Common lesions of the oral soft tissues. Do you need help explaining what canker sores are and what to do about them? KidsHealth, from Nemours, has you and your child covered, with clear, easy-to-understand details on the topic. MouthHealthy, from the American Dental Association, offers a ton of information on oral health and hygiene.

And if you're looking for a dentist, you can search on the site for one in your area. By subscribing you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Health Topics. Health Tools. Canker Sore. Reviewed: September 1, Medically Reviewed. Mild pain is typical with a minor sore, whereas major sores can be extremely painful.

Medication Options Mouth rinses, topical pastes, or creams containing dexamethasone Decadron or lidocaine Akten, Glydo, Lidoderm help reduce inflammation. Mayo Clinic For a comprehensive review of the symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and treatment of any number of health conditions, the Mayo Clinic is one of our favorite go-to resources.

KidsHealth Does your child get canker sores? MouthHealthy MouthHealthy, from the American Dental Association, offers a ton of information on oral health and hygiene. Editorial Sources and Fact-Checking. Canker Sores. Cleveland Clinic. August 29, Canker Sore: Overview. April 3, August 4, Canker Sore: Diagnosis. June 9, Mouth Disorders. June 11, Mouth Sores. Mouth Cancer. January 3, Mouth and Oralpharyngeal Cancer. Most people have canker sores at some time in their lives, and some people have them regularly.

The cause of canker sores is unknown, but they tend to run in families. Canker sores are not contagious. The main symptom of a canker sore is getting a shallow ulcer on your tongue or on the inside of your lip or cheek.

The sore may be large or small, and it will have a red border and a white or yellow centre. You might have more than one canker sore at a time.

Canker sores usually begin with a burning or tingling feeling. They may be swollen and painful. Having a canker sore can make it hard to talk or eat. Canker sores may hurt for 7 to 10 days. Minor canker sores heal completely in 1 to 3 weeks, but major canker sores can take up to 6 weeks to heal. Some people get another canker sore after the first sore has healed.

Most canker sores heal without a scar. If you see your doctor or dentist about the pain caused by your canker sores, he or she will do a physical examination by looking in your mouth to diagnose the canker sores.

You do not need to see a doctor for most canker sores. They will get better on their own. There are many things you can try at home to relieve the pain caused by your canker sores:. If your canker sores do not feel better after trying these steps at home for 2 weeks, you may need to see your doctor or dentist.

He or she may recommend medicines that will help relieve pain caused by your canker sores. Usually these medicines are swished or gargled in your mouth, or they are painted on the sore. Talk to your doctor if you have a fever, have trouble swallowing, or if your canker sores keep coming back. You may have another problem that is causing your symptoms. Most of the time the cause of canker sores is unknown. Unless you know what causes your canker sores, you cannot prevent them from happening.

If you do know what causes your canker sores, you can help prevent them by avoiding what you know causes them. For example, if you have gotten canker sores in the past from hurting the inside of your mouth, you might help prevent them by chewing your food slowly and carefully, trying not to talk and chew at the same time, and using a soft-bristled toothbrush when you brush your teeth.