People often use the terms "canker sores" and
"cold sores" interchangeably. While both are very painful, a canker
mouth sore is
found on the inside of the
mouth and is not contagious; cold sores are located
on the inside or outside of the mouth and are contagious.
Canker Sores:
These sores are found inside the cheeks, on your tongue or
the bottom of your mouth, and sometimes on your gums. They range from the size
of a tiny pinhead to a penny. The sores are grayish-white in the center and
circled with a red inflammation. Since it's an open
mouth sore, it hurts when
touched by anything, including saliva. They can burn and itch, too.
Canker sores might be called the "stress sores," because they are
caused by different types of stress:
- Emotional stress;
- Physical stress, such as biting your tongue, burning your mouth, or an
abrasion from braces or loose dentures; or
- Chemical stress producing changes in your body, perhaps resulting from an
illness or change in eating habits (such as medications, or too much of acidic
foods such as tomatoes, grapefruit, or lemons).
About one in five people get them. Women in the 20-to-50 year age group get them
more often. Once you get them, you're likely to experience them again.
However, they usually go away after seven to ten days, although some can be
longer-lasting.
An antimicrobial mouth rinse may lessen the irritation. Temporary relief can
be provided by over-the-counter topical anesthetics. Pain relief varies with
different products. Some medications provide a protective film that physically
blocks contact with food and saliva, lessening irritation.
Good oral hygiene and a healthy diet are preventive measures for reducing the
frequency of outbreaks.
Cold Sores
Also known as fever blisters, cold sores are caused by the virus herpes
simplex. These are painful blisters that usually break out around the lips
and sometimes under the nose or chin and normally heal within one week. They are
very contagious. The virus stays in the body, causing recurrent lesions prompted
from a fever, sunburn, skin abrasions, or stress.
They can be treated by your
dentist with the same topical anesthetics to relieve pain and
irritation as for canker sores. Prescription antiviral drugs can be effective in
reducing viral infections that cause flare-ups.
Additionally, there are new
topical medications (ointments) now available that shorten the duration of
a breakout, when applied immediately after the cold mouth sore is noticed. All
antiviral medications work best in the prodromal or early stage of the lesion.
If the wound is open and sore, these medications are of little use as the
healing time is still the same.
Be sure to consult with your dentist when any
mouth sores do not heal.
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