Canker Sores

Canker sores, also known as aphthous ulcers, are small, shallow ulcers that develop inside your mouth. They start as white or yellowish spots with a red border and can be painful, especially when eating or talking. Though usually very small, they can grow up to half an inch to an inch in diameter.

Where Can You Get Them?

Canker sores can appear on your tongue, gums, the roof of your mouth, inside your lips, or under your tongue.

Types of Canker Sores

1. Simple Canker Sores: These may appear three or four times a year and typically last up to a week.
2. Complex Canker Sores: Less common and more likely to occur in people who have had them before.

Are Canker Sores an STI?

No, canker sores are not a sexually transmitted infection (STI). They are not contagious and cannot be spread through kissing or sexual contact.

Canker Sore vs. Cold Sore

Canker sores and cold sores are often confused, but they are different:

• Cold Sores: Caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV-1 or HSV-2). These are contagious and can spread through close personal contact. Cold sores are fluid-filled blisters that can appear on the mouth or genitals.
• Canker Sores: Not caused by an infection and are not contagious.

Who Gets Canker Sores?

Anyone can develop canker sores, but they are most common in teens and people in their 20s. Women and people assigned female at birth are more likely to get canker sores, possibly due to hormonal changes.

How Common Are They?

Canker sores are quite common, affecting about 20% of the U.S. population at least once in their lifetime.

Symptoms and Causes

Symptoms

• One or more painful sores inside your mouth, on the tongue, inside of your lips, inner cheeks, or roof of your mouth.
• Burning or tingling sensations.
• Small, round ulcers that are white, gray, or yellow with a red border.
• Severe cases may include fever, physical sluggishness, and swollen lymph nodes.

Causes

The exact cause of canker sores is unknown, but several factors can trigger them, including:

• Stress
• Injury to the inside of your mouth
• Acidic foods (like citrus fruits)
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen
• Dental appliances (braces or ill-fitting dentures)
• Immune system conditions (lupus, Behcet’s disease, celiac disease, ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, AIDS)
• Nutritional deficiencies in vitamin B-12, zinc, folic acid, or iron.

Are Canker Sores Contagious?

No, canker sores are not contagious because they are not caused by an infection.

Diagnosis and Tests

A healthcare provider can diagnose canker sores during a physical exam. They might also recommend a blood test to check for vitamin deficiencies or other underlying conditions.

Management and Treatment

How to Heal a Canker Sore Fast

Treatment can include over-the-counter or prescription products to ease symptoms. Your healthcare provider may recommend:

• Topical Anesthetics: Such as benzocaine.
• Mouth Rinses: Containing hydrogen peroxide, chlorhexidine, or dexamethasone.
• Corticosteroid Ointments: Such as fluocinonide, beclomethasone, or hydrocortisone hemosuccinate.
• Antibiotics: Like doxycycline, often recommended for recurrent canker sores.

Taking good care of your mouth and managing stress can also help prevent and ease the discomfort of canker sores.