Coping With Cankers

By Jake A Rath

The canker sore, also known as an apthous ulcer, or apthous stomatitis, is a widespread oral condition, experienced by 10% of the world's population. It is very easy to detect a cold sore in the mouth. Usually, the pain alone is a convincing indicator, and the ordeal of eating, drinking and talking with a mouth ulcer is known to many people.

Firstly, canker sores are open sores that tend to appear in the soft tissues of the inside of the mouth. These tissues usually belong to the base of the gums, the tongue, the roof of the mouth, and the inner surfaces of the lips. A canker is identified by small tears in the mucous membranes of these tissues. The swelling of these tissues is also a common symptom. A cankers contact with food or fluids often results in painful stinging and burning sensations.

Cankers are usually solitary, although it is possible for small clusters to also develop. On sight, they appear as shallow open wounds, yellow or white in color. They are often surrounded by a border, or "halo" of swollen, red, irritated flesh.

Some extreme cases of apthous ulcers are preceded by specific symptoms. For instance, should they develop on the gums, swelling in the lymph glands below the jaw may prevail. Other symptoms, such as sensitive teeth or toothache-type sensations, can be precursors to a canker sore outbreak. Even fevers are possible indicators of bad canker afflictions.

These sores are usually caused by trauma to the mouth, originating from orthodontic equipment, accidental biting, and sports accidents. However, vitamin deficiencies, SLS toothpastes, hormonal fluctuations, and even quitting smoking have all been linked to the formation of canker sores.

The good news is that they do not last for too long. Two weeks is the maximum amount of time in the development and healing of a canker sore, and the duration period is subjective to the individual's health. It is, therefore, possible to simply "deal" with the pain without seeking treatment.

If the experience proves too painful to bear, there are many treatments available to accelerate the healing process, as well as to curb the pain of the open sore. Most people use remedies found in pharmacies, such as anesthetic creams and gels. Alternatively, many home remedies have proven to be just as effective. Salt water solutions, and hydrogen peroxide solutions, for example, soothe the canker sore and also protect it from other secondary bacterial infections.

It is important to note the differences between a canker and a cold sore. Often, people tend to confuse the two. In asking the question "are canker sores contagious?" they've assisted in generating the myth that cankers actually are contagious. They are not. Cold sores, which are viral infections, are contagious and must be treated accordingly. Apthous Ulcers, however painful, remain isolated to the person suffering them. One way to easily distinguish a canker core from a cold sore is the location of the sore itself. Cankers only affect the internal tissues of the mouth. Cold sores, on the other hand, appear on the surface tissues of the mouth, and can even infect the skin near the chin and nose. Mouth sores are very painful but with some patience and the proper remedies they can be overcome.

Find out how to get rid of canker sores. Canker are very painful and many people often wonder "are canker sores contagious?" Find the information you need to not only heal, but also to prevent these very painful and annoying sores.

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