Types of canker sores

• Simple canker sores: It can appear around three to five times a year. It lasts for around one week. They are found in the age group of 10 to 20 years.
• Complex canker sores: They are less common and it will occur more often in those who had them before.

Causes of canker sores

• Stress of tissue injury.
• Certain foods like citrus fruits or acidic foods like lemons, oranges, pineapples, apples, tomatoes, figs and strawberries.
• Sharp tooth surface.
• Sharp dental appliance like braces, ill fitting dentures.
• Impaired immune system.

• Nutritional deficiencies like vitamin B12, zinc, folic acid or iron deficiency.

• Gastrointestinal tract disease like celiac disease and crohn’s disease.

Symptoms of canker sores

• Painful sores in the mouth or tongue, soft palate or inside the cheeks.
• Tingling or burning sensation prior to the appearance of the sores.
• Sores in the mouth that are round, gray color in red edge or border.
• Treatment of canker sores

• It usually gets healed on its own in a week with our the treatment.

• If there is any infection an antimicrobial mouth rinse, corticosteroid ointment are given to reduce the pain.

Prevention of canker sores

• Avoid acidic or spicy foods which irritate the mouth.

• Avoid irritation from gum chewing.

• Use soft bristled brush for brushing. Brush twice a day.

Call your dentist if you have

• Unusually large sores.
• Spreading sores.
• Sores which lasts more than 3 weeks.
• Severe intolerable pain.
• Difficulty in drinking
• High fever.