Everyone on one occasion or another experiences mouth sores. Patients often come in mistakenly thinking that the sores are caused by an offending tooth. There are two common types: cankers (Aphthous ulcers), and cold sores. Aphthous ulcers are small, white painful sores that erupt on the soft tissues of the mouth such as the inner cheek and lips as well as the floor of the mouth. They are quite painful for their size and will usually clear up after 10-14 days.
They are non-contagious inflammatory lesions and their cause is possibly an auto-immune response and sometimes trauma (as in biting the cheek or tongue). The discomfort can be alleviated with the help of various pharmaceutical products, such as mouth rinses or/and ointments but remember there are no cures.
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There are two common types:
cankers and cold sores. Canker
sores are small, white painful
sores that erupt on the soft
tissues of the mouth such as
the inner cheek and lips as
well as the floor of the mouth.
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If you suffer regularly from canker sores, you may want to note what you have consumed the last 24 hours since for some patients there is a link between nutrition and sores, citrus foods often being the culprit.
Cold sores ( Herpetic lesions) on the other hand are liquid-filled blisters which are caused by the type-1 herpes virus. Unlike Aphthous ulcers they are contagious and erupt in different locations. When first exposed to this virus (usually at a young age), the sores erupt all over the mouth and lips and the child usually
has a fever and is in a lot of discomfort.
Consuming foods can even be a problem so parents should look for signs of dehydration.
Approximately 80% of the population has antibodies, indicating that they have been
exposed to this virus.
However, only a small percentage of these individuals will go on to get recurrent lesion, because the virus has lodged itself in their nervous system and remains in a dormant state until the next recurrence.
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Cold sores on the other hand
are liquid-filled blisters which are caused by the type-1 herpes
virus. Unlike canker sores they
are contagious and erupt
in different locations.
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Important to note is that these recurrent lesions are triggered by sunlight, stress, illness, fatigue, alcohol, drugs, menstruation or anything that stresses the immune system.
Unlike canker sores however, something can be done to deal with cold sores. One day or so before the blisters appear, most of these individuals will have symptoms such as a tingling or burning in the area where the lesion is to erupt. At this very moment one can take a prescribed anti-viral drug available from your dentist or physician, which often will minimize or prevent the blisters altogether.
Cankers and cold sores are not the only mouth sores humans suffer from, they are simply the most widespread. Other causes include chipped teeth, faulty fitting or loose dentures, allergies, diseases, as well as any trauma such as accidental bitting.
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Important to note is that these recurrent lesions are triggered
by sunlight, stress, illness, fatigue, alcohol, drugs, menstruation
or anything that stresses
the immune system.
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Should you suffer from unusually frequent sores which persist excessively, please consult your dentist or physician.
