Diseases/Conditions
Email Bookmark Feedback
In this factsheet:

Canker Sores

Mouth Ulcers ยท Aphthous Ulcers

The Facts

Canker sores are small sores that appear on the inside of the mouth, especially the cheeks and lips. They're also called aphthous ulcers. Rarely, they may develop on the gums or on the roof of the mouth. Small canker sores disappear within 10 days and don't scar. Large ones are less common, take weeks to heal, and can leave scars. Canker sores aren't contagious.

At any given time, 20% of Canadians will have a canker sore. They're most common in women and in people aged 10 to 40 years. Many people get them regularly, at least once a year. In the most severe cases, people get one after another.

Causes

Doctors don't know exactly what causes canker sores. They may be hereditary, but doctors have not figured out exactly how people inherit the tendency to get them. Researchers think they may be an overreaction to the Streptococcus bacteria, because the bacteria are often found in the canker sore. People with canker sores often have small injuries from dental injections and toothbrushes in the lining of the mouth. Allergies, such as hay fever, are also associated with an increased risk for canker sores.

Canker sores often occur near the time of a menstrual period. They may also be brought on by stress - for example, many students get them during exams. Other possible causes include lack of cyanocobalamin (vitamin B12), folic acid, or iron. Certain foods may be triggers for canker sores or act as nutrients for the Streptococcus bacteria.

Next Page
Author: MediResource Clinical Team
Reviewer: MediResource Clinical Team
Sources
Print
Rate this article:

We recommend the following articles

Chemotherapy and your emotions

Your emotions, like your health, may be shaken up during chemotherapy. But there are things... >> More
Newsletter
 

Local Health News
Are Those Low-Carb Diets Healthy?
There are certainly no shortage of fad diets these days. But are some diets actually bad for your body? Fitness expert Mark Sis...
>>More
New Hope For Diabetics
New help is available for Diabetics who rely on multiple insulin shots each day. Doctors are calling it one of the biggest brea...
>>More
New Attack Ad Targets Hot Dogs
A new TV commercial shows kids eating hot dogs in a school cafeteria and one little boy's haunting lament: "I was dumbfounded w...
>>More
OC Woman Dies from West Nile Virus
A 72-year-old Buena Park woman has become the first person in California this year to die of West Nile virus infection, a repre...
>>More
Are You a CyberChondriac?
The Internet has opened up the medical world to just about anyone who wants to check out symptoms on line. But make sure you do...
>>More

  Advertisement

The contents of this health site are for informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider regarding any questions you may have about a medical condition.

Site Map | Additional Information | Editorial Policy | Contact Us | About Us


Health On the Net Foundation
Health On the
Net Foundation

© 1996 - 2008 MediResource Inc.