Canker sores — or aphthous ulcers — are small, shallow ulcers that occur in the lining of your mouth. A canker sore starts as a white or yellowish mouth sore with a red border. They’re usually very small (less than 1 millimeter) but may grow to 1/2 inch to 1 inch in diameter.
You can get canker sores on your tongue, gums, roof of your mouth, inside of your lip or under your tongue. They can be painful and often make eating and talking uncomfortable.
There are two types of canker sores:
Simple canker sores: These may appear three or four times a year and last up to a week.
Complex canker sores: These are less common and occur more often in the people who have previously had them.
What are the symptoms of canker sores?
Common canker sore symptoms include:
One or more painful sores inside of your mouth. These ulcers may form on your tongue, the inside of your lips, your inner cheeks or the roof of your mouth.
Burning or tingling sensations.
Small, round ulcers that are white, gray or yellow with a red border.
Experts aren’t exactly sure why some people are more likely to get canker sores. But they’ve discovered many factors that can trigger the development of these ulcers, including:
Canker sores may also be linked to nutritional deficiencies in vitamin B-12, zinc, folic acid or iron.
Are canker sores contagious?
No. Canker sores aren’t contagious because they’re not caused by an infection.
How do you heal a canker sore fast?
Canker sore treatment may include over-the-counter or prescription products to ease your symptoms. Your healthcare provider may recommend one or more of these canker sore remedies:
Antibiotics, such as doxycycline (usually recommended for recurrent, or returning, canker sores).
If you have canker sores caused by nutritional deficiencies, your healthcare provider may recommend certain vitamins or supplements.
For severe canker sores, your healthcare provider may recommend cauterization (burning the affected tissue). This can sterilize the area, reduce pain and speed up healing.
How long do canker sores last?
Canker sore pain usually improves in a few days and the ulcers typically heal within two weeks, even without treatment. If you have a canker sore that lasts for more than two weeks, schedule an appointment with your healthcare provider.
Your healthcare provider can diagnose canker sores during a physical exam. They might also recommend a blood test to see if you have a vitamin deficiency or another condition that’s causing the ulcers.
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