Tag Archives: mouth ulcers

All About Canker Sores

Healthy Me,

Dealing with canker sores or mouth ulcers naturally

Are you getting canker sores or mouth ulcers in your mouth often?  Canker sores look like little whitish or yellow ulcers or lesions with a red border that can be very painful and can form anywhere on the lining of the mouth or cheek, or lips, sides of the gums and tongue. They could be singular or come up in multiples, and can be distinguished from a cold sore ( caused by Herpes Simplex virus) as the former is an inflammation rather than the latter which is an infection and causes a blister on the affected area.

What to expect?

A canker sore, known medically as aphthous stomatitis, starts with localized tingling and sometimes numbness. Within a day, a small ulcer forms containing a coagulated mixture of fluids, bacteria and white blood cells, usually on the inside of the lip or cheek, but sometimes on the tongue or roof of the mouth. The most common type called minor aphthae, is less than a fifth of an inch across. Although they are not a threat to health and a sore heals without a scar in 10 days or less, they can be exquisitely painful and make it difficult to eat and speak. In contrast, major aphthae are one-fourth of an inch across or larger, they can last for weeks, and often leave scars. Both types of canker sores tend to recur two or three times a year.

Symptoms

  • Localized pain and tingling in the mouth or inner lip, especially when a sore is touched or exposed to spicy or acidic foods.
  • One or more white or yellow ulcers with red margins.
  • Possible swollen lymph nodes in the neck, fever and general malaise.

Who is at risk?

Canker sores occur most often teenagers and young adults, and women are affected more than men. They often develop during times of high stress and fatigue. Hormones may play a role, because many women get them just before menstruation. Nutritional deficiencies—especially of iron, folic acid, and vitamin B12—can increase the risk of canker sores or mouth ulcers. Some people find that ingredients in some toothpastes or mouthwashes and certain foods—trigger the sores; other risk factors include allergies, food sensitivities, irritation from dentures or orthodontic appliances, and a tendency to bite one’s lip or cheek. Smoking and chewing tobacco also tend to exacerbate canker sores.

Underlying viral infections or immunologic diseases can also play a role. Canker sores are sometimes associated with Crohn’s disease, which primarily affects the bowels.

Home remedies for cancer sores

  • Until the sore heals, forgo spicy, alcohol and acidic foods, such as tomatoes and orange juice. 
  • Hold an ice cube against the sore to dull the pain temporarily. 
  • Before eating, try coating the sore with a protective paste, such as a slippery elm paste that you can make at home using slippery elm powder and aloe vera gel or water, to ease pain and prevent exposing it to irritating foods and fluids. 
  • Various gentle herbal mouthwashes may help but first talk to our naturopathic doctor to address the root cause first before starting any supplements, vitamins and herbs. 

If you are suffering from canker sores and want to address the root cause of the canker sores, please call the clinic at 416 913 4325 to schedule a naturopathic consultation with Dr. Sushma Shah, ND.