Canker sores, also known as aphthous stomatitis, are among the most common causes of painful sores in the mouth and can cause absolute misery. They are far from uncommon, with from 20%-40% of the U.S. population have them at some point in their lives. They most commonly occur in people in adolescence and young adulthood. They become less frequent as we get older and are not contagious.
Canker sores are not the same thing as cold sores. Cold sores ("fever blisters") occur on the outer lip, whereas canker sores are found inside the mouth. No one knows what causes canker sores. The vast majority of people who develop canker sores do not have another obvious problem as the cause although as with many opportunistic infection, it has been thought likely to result from a reaction of the immune system.
Other causes may be:
◦bacterial infections
◦hormonal disorders
◦stress
◦trauma
◦heredity
Taking some drugs might not help either, (including anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen, and beta-blockers, such as atenolol)
Some food allergies or sensitivities might also contribute such as chocolate, tomatoes, nuts, and acidic foods or even toothpastes containing sodium lauryl sulfate an perhaps a deficiency of iron, folic acid, or vitamin B12
Some studies have suggested an association with Helicobacter pylori, the same bacteria that cause peptic ulcers.
Recurrent canker sores have been associated with inflammatory bowel diseases, such as Crohn disease and ulcerative colitis. In these cases, the development of canker sores may signal a flare-up of the bowel disease.
Celiac, or abdominal, sprue, a disease of the intestines caused by sensitivity to gluten, causes malabsorption and is associated with development of canker sores. Gluten refers to a group of proteins found in wheat, barley, and rye.
Behçet's disease is a condition characterized by canker sores, genital sores that resemble canker sores, and inflammation of the eye.
Infection with the AIDS virus also has been associated with canker sores.
It is a common misconception that canker sores are a form of herpes infection. This is not the case.
Canker Sore Symptoms
Canker sores occur in several forms. They can involve any area of the mouth except for the gums, lips, and hard palate.
Minor canker sores (which account for the majority of aphthous ulcers) are oval and less than 10 mm (1/3 inch) across. Most are 2-3 mm with a white center. They are painful but clear up within three to 14 days without scarring. It is unusual for them to become infected.
•Major canker sores consist of deep ulcers measuring greater than 1 cm (1/3 inch). These ulcers, which are very painful, have irregular margins and often last for three to six weeks. They tend to heal with extensive scarring.
•A third form of canker sores, termed "herpetiform," resemble herpes infections and consist of many small shallow punched-out lesions, pinhead-sized (1-3 mm) in diameter, or less than one-tenth of an inch. Clusters of these sores may merge together to form large irregular ulcers. They last from seven to 10 days.
•Canker sores commonly come back. Some people have a few outbreaks a year, while others can have them almost all the time
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