Canker Sores in the Mouth - Facts, Symptoms, Causes, Home Remedies

Are you suffering from canker sores in the mouth?

Aphthous ulcers are commonly known as canker sores, which form on the inside of the mouth (lips, cheeks) as well as on the tongue. They occur alone most often, but can erupt in small clusters.

Often, the mouth tingles or burns before the small red bumps appear. Twenty-four to thirty hours later, the sore bursts, leaving an open white wound with a red ring around it. The sores are painful and can be accompanied by a fever and an uncomfortable, sluggish feeling.

Unlike other mouth sores, canker sores in the mouth are not contagious and cannot be spread to someone else by sharing or even kissing. In this respect, it vastly differs from cold sores (herpes simplex virus) that can spread from one person to another. Another difference is that canker sores form on the inside of the mouth, while cold sores cluster on the outside.

Causes

It is not certain what causes canker sores in the mouth. They generally appear between ages 10 to 20, but can present at any time in one's life and have a tendency to run in the family. There also appears to be a connection between stress and canker sores, which explains why they seem to show up during eventful times of your life.

Fatigue or allergies can increase one's chances of getting canker sores, as can conditions such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. Researchers agree that women are more susceptible than men, due to the difference in male and female hormones. This is backed up by the fact that women are especially prone to them about the time of their menstrual cycle.

Canker sores in the mouth generally heal on their own in four to ten days, but if you need something while waiting, various over the counter products are available - some for protecting the sores, while others numb the site when the pain is at its height.

If the sores are reoccurring or if you feel fatigued with a loss of appetite, you may choose to see your doctor or dentist, as the underlying cause could be with your immune system, a vitamin deficiency, or allergies. Dietary deficiencies may also be the cause - lack of sufficient iron or not enough vitamin B12.

Home Remedies

Some home remedies for canker sores in the mouth that work well are as simple as they are effective. Try mixing 1 tablespoon sea salt in a small glass of warm water. Mix and rinse mouth throughout the day.

Equal parts of liquid antacid and antihistamine mixed and applied with a cotton swab works very well by helping to aid in healing while relieving pain.

Vitamin C is also believed to help prevent canker sore outbreaks, while other foods trigger them - for instance grapes or products made from them, such as wine, jelly, and juice.

Taking lysine supplements daily with a full glass of water not only helps with faster healing, but also aids in clearing skin as well. Proper dental hygiene can help, as do products such as Listerine.

Be sure to use an all natural toothpaste, one free of sodium laureth sulfate (SLS), as it is known to aggravate canker sores in the mouth. It irritates the sores, making it easier for them to turn into ulcers. Be sure to drink lots of pure water, as this will also aid in healing.

Also try zinc lozenges and the vitamin B complex to aid in healing and prevent reoccurrence.

To learn more about canker sores in the mouth and how to deal with them naturally, read the other related canker sores articles and pages.

Read More: More on Canker Sores | Natural Health Remedies for Various Ailments and Conditions | Home Page | Site Search

Click here for natural, herbal and homeopathic remedies for canker sores.

	Get Quality Natural Health Supplements at Reasonable Prices. $5 or $10 discount for new customers
Get natural, herbal and homeopathic remedies for hundreds of health conditions and ailments. GO.

New! Comments

Have your say about what you just read. Leave a comment in the box below.

Some Related Canker Sores Pages

Click here for more pages and articles on Canker Sores.