Top Reasons Why Someone Gets Canker Sores

14 July 2016
 Categories: Dentist, Blog

Share

Most individuals have experienced a painful canker sore at least once. These shallow lesions are often in the soft tissues of your mouth, or along the gum line, and they may be yellowish or pale ulcers with an outer ring of red. They can be very painful, and may make it difficult to eat or talk easily. The painful area may last for one or two weeks. The question is: what is it that causes these painful canker sores to occur in the first place? 

Stress

Stress is a part of life, but unfortunately it is one of the most common causes of canker sores. Performing yoga or going for a jog may help you to reduce your anxiety.

Wear and Tear

Injuries to the mouth can cause canker sores. These might be caused by an improperly fitting denture or braces, or a tooth with rough edges. It might happen if you are too vigorous with your tooth brushing. If you bite your lip, tongue or cheek, a sore could appear. You should maintain a clean and bacteria free mouth to prevent stress on the mouth's tissues, which in turn will reduce the chances of developing a canker sore.

Not Enough Vitamins

Mineral and vitamin deficiencies may include iron deficiencies, folic acid (folate is also a B-vitamin), B-1, 2, 6, and 12, or zinc. It is a good idea to supplement with over-the-counter vitamins if this is the case. Some drugs, including beta-blockers and anti-inflammatory drugs, may also cause problems. It is also noted some toothpastes and mouthwashes that contain lauryl sulfate may contribute to canker sores.

When Food Fights Back

Some food sensitivities may trigger the problem or make it worse than it was previously.  Specifically, some of the products may include strawberries, chocolate, cheese, nuts, and foods containing acid or spicy seasonings.

Conditions and Diseases

Menstrual cycles produce an imbalance and hormonal changes. HIV or Aids can suppress the body's immune system and cause the sores. Patients who suffer from gastrointestinal tract diseases, such as Crohn's, celiac disease, or ulcerative colitis, are more prone to canker sores.

While studies have not been able to pinpoint the exact cause of canker sores, one thing is for sure: they hurt! However, it may be comforting to know that canker sore are generally not indicative of any larger problem, and in most cases, preventing them from recurring is as simple as making changes to your environment. If it's happening too often, visit a cosmetic dentist, such as Ginger Scoggins DDS.