What are canker sores?

Canker sores, more specifically referred to as "recurrent minor aphthous ulcers", are one of the most frequently occurring type of oral lesions. Outbreaks of canker sores can range from being a simple annoyance to, at the other extreme, an intensely painful period that interferes with normal oral activities.

The following pages will help you understand what triggers canker sores as well as ways to identify them. Additionally, our pages include a discussion about the various products and medications that can be useful in the treatment of canker sores, including home remedies and also over-the-counter and prescription medications.
Select a canker sore topic.What causes canker sores?How do you identify canker sores?Over-the-counter treatments for canker sores.Prescription medications for canker sores.

What are canker sores?
Canker sores are a type of mouth ulcer. Some of the medical terms used to refer to canker sores are "recurrent minor aphthous ulcers" and "recurrent minor aphthous stomatitis" (thus differentiating canker sores from other types of aphthous ulcers or aphthous stomatitis). Canker sores are the most commonly occurring type of mouth ulcer.


What causes canker sores?
The precise mechanism by which canker sores form has not been definitively determined but it is likely that their development is related to a reaction of an individual's own immune system.

Canker sores are thought to form when, for unexplained reasons, a person's immune system identifies the presence of chemical molecules that it does not recognize. The presence of these molecules activates an attack by the immune system's lymphocytes (a type of white blood cell), somewhat like when a person's immune system attacks a transplanted organ. The carnage of the lymphocytes' attack on these unrecognized molecules results in the type of mouth ulcers we term canker sores.
Canker Sores:
Page 1 What are canker sores?
What causes canker sores?
What triggers canker sore outbreaks?


Page 2 What are the characteristics of canker sores?
What do canker sores look like?
Where do canker sores form?


Page 3 What are the treatments for canker sores?
Over-the-counter medications for canker sores.
Home remedies for canker sores.


Page 4 What are the treatments for canker sores?
Prescription medications for canker sores.

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What triggers outbreaks of canker sores?
Several factors that seem to trigger outbreaks of canker sores have been identified. Any one or a combination of the following items may play a significant role in the formation of canker sores for any one individual:


Toothpastes and mouthwashes that contain sodium lauryl sulfate.
Research suggests that a person's use of products that contain sodium lauryl sulfate ("SLS"), a foaming agent found in most toothpaste and mouthwash formulations, can cause an increased recurrence rate of canker sores. This is probably due to a drying effect SLS has on the protective surface of oral tissues. Once this protective layer has been compromised the tissue underneath is more vulnerable to irritants such as acidic foods.
Several studies have reported that participants who brushed with a toothpaste that was SLS free found that they experienced a reduction in the number of canker sores that formed. This reduction was found to be 81% in one study. In this same study some of the participants reported that the canker sores that did form were less painful than those that developed during those time periods when they had been using a toothpaste that did contain SLS.
Mechanical trauma.
People will often recall some sort of trauma preceding the formation of their canker sores. This trauma might take the form of a self-inflicted bite, irritation from a sharp tooth, or possibly trauma from some type of food such as a crisp chip. 38% of the participants of one study felt that their canker sores were precipitated by trauma.
Emotional stress / Psychic stress.
Psychological stress has been shown to adversely affect the health of people in a number of ways. Many people who suffer from canker sores will frequently report that the timing of their ulcers coincide with periods of stress.
Nutritional deficiencies.
Researchers have discovered that some people who suffer from canker sores have an underlying nutritional deficiency. Some of the nutritional deficiencies that have been correlated with the presence of canker sores are:
Vitamin deficiencies: B1, B2, B6, B12, C
Other nutrients: zinc, folic acid, iron, selenium, calcium
Allergies and sensitivities.
Allergies to foods and other substances have been postulated as being a trigger for canker sore breakouts. Any substance that comes into contact with the person's oral tissues must be considered a potential causative agent. If an allergy is suspected the individual might choose to maintain a diary so to help them and their dentist identify the most likely candidates associated with the causation of their sores. In some cases allergy testing might be considered.
Some of the substances identified by researchers as being potential triggers for canker sore outbreaks are:
Cereal grains: buckwheat, wheat, oats, rye, barley, the gluten protein found in grains
Fruits and vegetables: lemons, oranges, pineapples, apples, figs, tomatoes, strawberries
Dairy: milk, cheeses
Other foods: nuts, chocolate, shellfish, soy, vinegar, French mustard
Additives: cinnamonaldehyde (a flavoring agent), benzoic acid (a preservative)
Other substances: toothpastes, mints, gums, dental materials, metals, medications
Hormonal changes.
Some women have reported that they find a relationship between the presence of canker sores and certain phases of their menstrual period. It has also been reported that a woman may notice a remission of canker sores during pregnancy. Neither of these observations has been adequately documented or explained by research.
Genetics.
Some researchers have felt that they have identified a genetic predisposition for canker sores. One study found that 35% of those persons who experience canker sores have at least one parent who suffers from these ulcers also. Another study found that 91% of identical twins both suffered from canker sores whereas only 57% of fraternal twins did.
Infectious agents (both bacterial and viral).
The fact that substances characteristic of bacterial and viral infections have been isolated from canker sores suggests that bacteria or viruses could be causative in the formation of these mouth ulcers.
Medical conditions.
Several different medical conditions can be associated with the presence of canker sores (and other forms of aphthous ulcers as well). For those patients who experience persistent difficulties with canker sores consideration must be given to the presence of an underlying undiagnosed systemic disease and the need for an evaluation and testing by a physician.
A few of the medical conditions that have been associated with the presence of these ulcers are: Behcet's disease, neutrophil dysfunction diseases, inflammatory bowel diseases (celiac and Crohn's), and HIV-AIDS.
Medications.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), beta blockers, chemotherapeutic agents, and nicorandil have each been reported as possibly having a relationship with outbreaks of canker sores.


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