Canker sores or mouth ulcers are small shallow lesions that can appear in your mouth. Anyone can develop these sores. However, not many people know everything about these ulcers. In truth, most individuals are often confused about what causes them, if they’re contagious, and how long they take to heal. It’s also unclear to many people if canker sores can get worse or if they’re a sign of a severe illness.
Many individuals don’t know much about canker sores because of many misconceptions about the lesions. This article seeks to debunk some falsely held beliefs about the sores. You’ll learn about some known causes of the lesions, how sores develop in various parts of the mouth, how to differentiate them from others, and so much more.
Below are four common canker sores misconceptions and factual information you should know and educate others about:
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Canker And Cold Sores Are The Same
Most people believe that canker and cold sores are the same. Though sores in both cases will appear around the area of the mouth, these are two different conditions.
Canker sores appear inside the mouth. The lesions can develop on your tongue, under it, or on its side. They can also appear at your gums’ inner base, on the inner surfaces of your lips and cheeks, or your soft palate. The lesions have an oval or round shape and have a yellowish or whitish center with a red outline. They’re also painful and can make eating, drinking, and talking difficult.
The exact cause of canker sores may be unknown, but some factors raise the likelihood of the lesions appearing. Such include stress, hormonal changes, poor nutrition, acidic food, and injuries in your mouth resulting from playing sports, accidental biting, or brushing your teeth aggressively.
On the other hand, cold sores have a known cause. The blisters result from herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection. Cold sores rarely appear in the mouth. In most cases, they’ll develop on the outer parts. Typically, they’ll emerge as one or a cluster of blisters on your cheeks, nose, or around your lips’ borders.
Cold sores cause tingling, itching, or burning sensation before you can see them. Once they appear, they’re small, filled with fluid, and look red with an inflamed and uneven surface.
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They’re Contagious
Some people believe that canker sores are contagious. This isn’t accurate. These mouth ulcers can’t spread from one person to the other.
HSV is what one can transmit to another individual. This means one can’t get cold sore outbreaks unless infected with HSV. The virus can spread through kissing, sharing personal items like towels or sharp objects like razors, and having oral sex with an infected person.
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You Don’t Need Treatment
You might not need treatment for canker sores. And yes, part of this belief is accurate. Essentially, you could develop minor, herpetiform, or major lesions.
Minor ones are small and oval-shaped. These don’t require treatment because they heal after a few days without causing any scarring. Herpetiform mouth ulcers are rare. They look pinpoint-sized and develop in clusters of 10- 100 sores and could merge into one lesion. They also heal within 1-2 weeks without causing scarring.
Most mouth ulcers are typically clear within 1-2 weeks. You can speed healing with over-the-counter medications or home remedies like coconut oil, yogurt, and honey.
On the other hand, major mouth ulcers can be large and extremely painful. In this case, you need to see a dentist or doctor for treatment. If your sores keep reappearing, last more than two weeks, are accompanied by high fever, or extend into your lips, you should visit a specialist. They’ll examine you and establish the best treatment option. Besides, they’ll assess if your sores indicate an underlying issue like weak immunity, lupus, or celiac disease and treat you accordingly.
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You Won’t Experience Them Again After Healing
Canker sores can reappear again after healing. Since there isn’t an apparent cause of these mouth ulcers, the best prevention measure may be unknown. However, you can reduce their frequency by avoiding foods that irritate your mouth, like spicy, salty, and acidic foods. Other habits to consider are eating nutritious meals, practicing good oral hygiene, and avoiding stress. If mouth ulcers keep reappearing despite following these measures, you should see a specialist.
Final Thoughts
Many people don’t understand much about canker sores because of many misconceptions about them. In this article, you’ve discovered four common incorrect beliefs about these lesions. This piece has also provided accurate facts to debunk these misconceptions. You can revisit this article if you need more clarification. And educate your friends and loved ones who don’t fully understand canker sores.
