Canker sores are aphthous ulcers that develop in the mucous membranes inside your mouth on the gums or inside the cheeks. They are not contagious and are not found on your lips like cold sores. They are more common in women and usually run in families. If you have ever had one, you have probably wondered what causes canker sores.
Causes of Canker Sores
It is not known exactly what causes canker sores but most experts agree that is can be a combination of factors. Here are some of the factors that have been shown to cause canker sores:
Many times a canker sore will develop wherever there is an injury to the soft tissues of the mouth. This might be an injury when you are engaged in playing sports or other physical activities. You could injury yourself by brushing too roughly or by biting your lip or cheek. If dentures do not fit properly, part of them may rub and irritate part of your tissue and a canker sore may appear in that spot. If this is the case, you should see your dentist. Orthodontic equipment can also rub on tissue and cause a canker sore as can a broken tooth.
What causes canker sores in some people is allergies. People with food allergies will sometimes develop canker sores when they consume those foods. Foods that are especially suspect include coffee, chocolate, eggs, nuts, strawberries, cheese, and foods with a high acid content like citrus fruit. Some people are allergic to the metal in orthodontic equipment and this might cause a canker sore. Other causes include sensitivity to the preservative benzoic acid and an allergy to certain bacteria that are found in the mouth.
Things that you put in your mouth can also be a cause of canker sores. If you eat or drink something that is too hot, it could burn an area of tissue. Highly spicy foods could also inflame tissue and that could lead to a canker sore. The chemicals in smokeless tobacco can irritate the mouth tissues and cause a canker sore.
Certain diseases can promote canker cores and these include Celiac disease which is caused by a gluten allergy and inflammatory bowel disease like ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease. Belchet’s disease causes inflammation and damage to blood vessels and mouth sores is a common symptom. HIV/AIDS can cause the immune system to not function properly and attack healthy cells in your mouth.
A deficiency of folic acid, vitamin B-12, or iron can cause canker sores. Another cause is sodium lauryl sulfate which is an ingredient in some toothpastes and mouthwashes. The same bacteria that are responsible for peptic ulcers, Helicobacter pylori, may also cause canker sores. Two other things that may facilitate the development of canker sores are hormonal changes and stress.
Treatment and Prevention
No matter what causes canker sores, they can be a nuisance and may interfere with eating or talking. Fortunately, most canker sores will go away on their own within a week or two without any type of treatment. If your canker sores are large, last more than two weeks, reappear often, are painful, seem to be infected, or you have a fever along with them, you need to see a doctor or dentist.
If you have a severe problem with canker sores, there are a number of treatment options. There are prescription mouth rinses that will help with the pain and swelling. Pastes can be applied to the sores that will help them heal faster and these are available by prescription or over-the-counter. Some medicines for heartburn may help canker sores such as Tagamet. Debacterol is applied to the sores and can cut healing time. Your doctor may also suggest you take supplements of vitamin B-12 and folic acid, in case you have a deficiency, and zinc to speed healing.
If you can not figure out what causes canker sores and you get them often, it may be a good idea to try and prevent them. Pay attention to the foods you eat and note which ones cause irritation. Don’t talk while you are eating to avoid biting your lip or mouth. Brush and floss often to keep food out of your mouth that may cause a canker sore and choose toothpastes and rinses that don’t contain sodium lauryl sulfate. Lastly, eat a healthy diet and include yogurt or probiotic supplements that have good bacteria that will help prevent canker sores.