What are canker sores? How to prevent and treat them.

Although canker sores are a common problem that almost everyone has experienced, it is still a little-explored topic. Canker sores are ulcers in the mouth that vary in size and number, causing a kind of irritation in the oral cavity, typically affecting the cheeks, but may also manifest on the lips, tongue, gums, roof of the mouth, or throat, causing pain and discomfort.

Even though they are usually superficial lesions that are easy to treat, they can cause a lot of discomfort and may even lead to difficulties in speaking or swallowing. However, unlike lesions caused by herpes, canker sores are not contagious.

What causes them?

The truth can be hard to determine about what caused the appearance of canker sores on the lips, throat, or mouth. The origin is often multifactorial: they may occur due to trauma such as an accidental bite or after a more aggressive brushing, but they can also occur due to hormonal changes, genetic factors, or autoimmune diseases (especially when involving the gastrointestinal system).

The consumption of certain foods such as chocolate, nuts, spicy food, and acidic foods can also promote the appearance of canker sores in the oral cavity, as well as a lack of nutrients such as vitamin B, vitamin C, folic acid, and iron.

How to treat recurrent canker sores?

Usually, canker sores disappear 8 to 10 days after they appear, without any treatment. However, when they cause a lot of pain or discomfort, the use of products to relieve and speed up their disappearance may be recommended, such as antiseptic and antibacterial solutions, or local analgesics and anti-inflammatories.

It is also recommended to avoid consuming acidic, spicy, or heavily seasoned foods that may aggravate the symptoms.