Canker sores, popularly known as the aphthous ulcers are the tiny ulcers which form inside the mouth. These canker sores are generally yellow, light gray or white in color but sometimes they have the small red bordering line as well. The early symptoms of having canker sores can be red spot or small bump that offers slight tingling or burning sensation. These sores commonly appear inside lips, under tongue area, inside cheeks, on gums and on roof of mouth.
These canker sores are not like the cold sores as the canker sores are not actually contagious while on the other hand, the cold sores are contagious to a great extent. The cold sores generally occur on the mouth’s external layer around as well as on lips and not inside the mouth as the case with canker sores. The canker sores can prove to be really painful and that too when the sufferer is eating or talking. While there are no specific treatments for the canker sores, there are some cures that one can try to ease and lower down the overall discomfort.
Some researches hold the belief that the following signs could play a vital role in the formation of canker sores including:
- Stress
- Biting lips, tongue or cheek
- Fatigue
- Chewing sharp food stuff
- Genetics
- Orthodontic or dental appliance rubbing
- Sharp tooth rubbing
- Undergoing chemotherapy
- Week immune system
- Menstrual cycle
- Nutritional deficiencies or problems
- Food allergies
Some of the simple treatments that can be carried out to reduce certain levels of canker sores include rinsing the mouth with antimicrobial mouthwash, using Ibuprofen or Tylenol for relief from extreme pain and avoiding spicy and hot foods with crunchy edges that cam poke deep into these sores.
.