Our Blog:
Archive:
- 2019
- January (6)
- Recessed Gums Could Endanger Your Teeth
- A New Resolution - Floss!
- Flossing Daily Around Implants will Help Prevent Losing Your Bridge
- Implant-Supported Dentures Could Boost Your Jawbone Health
- 'Get Rid' of Those Unattractive Teeth with Porcelain Veneers
- Safety is a Priority When Imaging Children's Teeth with X-Rays
- 2018
- December (6)
- Get a Look at Your Future Makeover Look Now with a 'Trial Smile'
- Need a Root Canal? Here's a Step-by-Step Guide on What to Expect
- What You Need to Know to Buy the Right Toothbrush
- Dental Visits are Key to Detecting Early Developing Tooth Decay
- Regardless of What You've Seen Online, Don't Fear a Root Canal Treatment
- Wisdom Teeth Warrant Close Watch to Avoid Future Health Issues
- November (6)
- Moderate Your Child's Juice Drinking to Lower Tooth Decay Risk
- Don't let Gum Disease - the 'Other Dental Disease' - Rob you of Your Smile
- Teeth Grinding in Older Children and Adolescents a Cause for Concern
- Inflammation: the Link Between Gum Disease and Cardiovascular Disease
- How to Maximize Your Child's Dental Health Potential
- The Connection Between GERD and Oral Health
- October (6)
- What You Should Know About Veneers for Teenagers
- Stop Root Cavities with Prevention and Prompt Treatment
- What You Should Know About Antibiotic Therapy Before Implant Surgery
- 3 Factors That Could Affect the Success of a Root Canal Treatment
- Stay Ahead of Plaque Buildup with Effective Brushing and Flossing
- Eat the Right Kind of Carbs to Protect Yourself from Gum Disease
- September (6)
- Why the Treatment Model for Your Jaw Joint Disorder Matters
- Provisional Restorations let you Try out Your New Smile First
- Treating Gum Disease around Tooth Roots is Hard - but Not Impossible
- Look After Your Teeth During Cancer Treatment to Avoid Dental Disease
- Keep on Course during the 3 Phases of a Smile Makeover
- What You Should Know About a Home Teeth Whitening Kit
- August (6)
- What You Can Do to Support Your Child's Dental Development
- Have Your Loose Tooth Examined as Soon as Possible
- Back to School Do's and Don'ts
- Take Years off Your Smile by Treating Age-Related Dental Problems
- Diabetes Doesn't Have to Stop You From Acquiring Dental Implants
- Treating a Child's Tooth Injury May Require Special Consideration
- July (7)
- Mouthguards Found to be Effective in Preventing Teeth and Mouth Injuries
- Cosmetic Questions to Ask to Get You on the Right Path to a Better Smile
- Consider Saving a Tooth Before you Decide to Replace it
- What Happens in a Root Canal Treatment and How it Can Save Your Tooth
- Think Water First for Summer Thirst
- 3 Reasons You Should Consider Tooth Whitening
- Watch Out for Signs of Gum Recession
- June (6)
- Treating Gum Abscesses and the Underlying Gum Disease
- Tips to Brighten Your Summer Smile
- 3 Advantages for Improving Your Smile with Composite Resins
- Finding the Right Solution for Your Gummy Smile
- Keep Alert for this Extreme Form of Gingivitis
- Chewing Tobacco is Just as Addictive and Dangerous as Smoking
- March (5)
- Get a Dental Exam as Soon as Possible if you Suspect Gum Disease
- The Right Treatment for Your Child's Injured Tooth Increases its Survival
- Baseball, Tobacco and Oral Cancer
- Why the Bottled Variety Might not be Your Best Choice for Clean Drinking Water
- 4 Things You Should be Doing Now for Your Baby's Long-Term Dental Health
- January (5)
- 4 Areas We May Check During Your Older Loved One's Regular Dental Visit
- Replacing a Missing Tooth isn't Just About Improving Your Smile
- Office Fluoride Treatments Can Add Extra Protection to Your Child's Teeth
- Your Health Could Affect the Longevity of a Dental Implant
- Why You Should Still Floss with an Implant-Supported Bridge
- 2017
- May (5)
- Complications from Missing Teeth Could Limit Your Replacement Options
- Artificial Sweeteners are By and Large a Safe Alternative to Sugar
- Don't let Periodontal Disease Cause Your Gums to Recede
- Take Steps to Save an Incoming Tooth's Place to Avoid a Poor Bite
- New Saliva Test may Help Identify Oral Cancer Earlier
- April (5)
- Gum Disease Could Affect More than Your Teeth and Gums
- Protect Your Child's Long-Term Dental Health with Regular Office Visits
- An Affordable RPD Could be the Answer to Your Missing Teeth Problems
- A Solution for Restoring Adequate Bone for Dental Implants
- Improving a 'Gummy Smile' Depends on its Cause
- February (5)
- Don't Put Off Getting Treatment for Your Sensitive Teeth
- Don't Wait - Seek Out Treatment for Gum Recession Now
- A Root Canal Treatment may be Your Best Chance to Save a Tooth
- Try Conservative Measures to Treating TMD Before More Aggressive Options
- A Partial Denture Can Restore a Smile Marred by a Few Missing Teeth
- 2016
- November (5)
- Keep an Eye Out for Problems if Your Children Grind Their Teeth
- Don't Let an Eating Disorder Wreck Oral Health
- Extracting Certain Teeth can Boost Orthodontic Effectiveness
- Inflammation is a Key Element in Both Oral and Systemic Diseases
- Don't Let the Acid in Sports and Energy Drinks Ruin Your Tooth Enamel
- September (5)
- Certain Mouth Rashes Don't Respond to Topical Steroid Treatments
- Gum Recession Could Shorten the Life of Your Teeth
- Lasers Adding New Precision and Efficiency to Root Canal Treatments
- RPDs Offer Another Tooth Replacement Option for those on a Tight Budget
- Do you need Simple Tooth Removal or Surgery? It Depends on a few Factors
- May (5)
- A Root Canal Treatment can Save Your Tooth and Relieve Pain
- Dental Offices Hold to the Highest Standards to Protect Patients from Infection
- Sedation Therapy can reduce Anxiety in Children during Dental Visits
- Treating a "Gummy" Smile Starts with Finding out the Cause
- 4 Reasons Why You May Need to See a Periodontist for Your Gum Disease
- March (5)
- Beyond Their Marketing Claims, Most Toothpastes are Surprisingly Similar
- Surgically Accessing Sinuses can Help Grow New Bone for Implants
- Thumb Sucking One of Many Factors to Consider When Treating a Poor Bite
- Find out What Kind of Tooth Staining you Have Before Seeking a Solution
- 4 Advantages to Using Composite Resins for Restoring Teeth
- 2015
- December (5)
- Sealants Provide a Little Extra Protection for Children at High Risk for Decay
- Dental Amalgam Continues to be a Durable and Safe Tooth Filling
- Dental Offices Uphold the Highest Standards for Infection Control
- Three Considerations for Working with Your Dentist on Your Smile Makeover
- 3 Tips for Denture Care to Help Them Last and Keep Your Mouth Healthy
- October (5)
- 3 Questions to Answer Before Your Smile Makeover
- You May Need Surgery to Repair the Damage of Gum Recession
- Diabetics with Gum Disease Benefit from Coordinating Treatment for Both
- Tooth-Colored Fillings Provide a Viable Alternative to Dental Amalgam
- Preventive Care for Your Child is a Partnership between You and Your Dentist
- 2014
- September (5)
- Saving a Baby Tooth is the Best Option for Permanent Tooth Development
- Dry Mouth - Causes, Risks and Cures
- Bleeding Gums are a Possible Sign of Periodontal Gum Disease
- Determining the Cause of Tooth Looseness Key to Effective Treatment
- Successful Outcomes With Dentures Depends on Attention to Detail
- August (5)
- Composite Resins are a Viable Restoration Option for Mildly Defective Teeth
- Major Benefits for Tooth Replacement With Dental Implants
- Crown Lengthening can Increase Your Restoration Options
- Minimizing X-Ray Exposure Risks in Children to Maximize Benefits
- Frequently Asked Questions about Cosmetic Bonding
- 2013
- 2012
- August (7)
- Don't Let Tooth Pain Linger — The Cost May Just Be Too High
- Understanding The Importance Of Dental X-Rays
- Tooth Replacement: It's Come a Long Way
- Your Smile Design: Perfection vs. the Natural Look
- Testing Your Knowledge on Caring for Your Dentures
- Designing A New Smile. What's involved?
- Testing your Knowledge: Dental Implants
Tags
- common symptoms (7)
- dental hygiene (3)
- oral health (64)
- tooth decay (17)
- teeth whitening (11)
- cosmetic dentistry (33)
- smile makeover (16)
- wedding day smiles (2)
- bleeding gums (4)
- periodontal disease (13)
- gum disease (37)
- oral hygiene (37)
- bad breath (4)
- dental implants (31)
- dentures (9)
- replacing teeth (3)
- missing tooth (3)
- dental implant (3)
- x-rays (3)
- tooth pain (1)
- toothache (2)
- loose dentures (1)
- overdenture (1)
- veneers (3)
- dental hygienist (1)
- sedation dentistry (5)
- oral sedation (2)
- fluoride (3)
- dental injuries (2)
- dental emergencies (1)
- sports dentistry (2)
- snoring and sleep apnea (2)
- bridgework (2)
- gingivitis (2)
- inflammation (2)
- invisalign (2)
- orthodontics (8)
- clear orthodontic aligners (2)
- dry mouth (3)
- snoring (5)
- sleep apnea (5)
- power bleaching (1)
- periodontal (gum) disease (2)
- crowns (7)
- gum recession (7)
- oral cancer (8)
- wisdom teeth (3)
- tooth bleaching (1)
- eating disorder (1)
- clear aligners (1)
- braces (3)
- tmj (2)
- tmd (2)
- tooth colored fillings (2)
- dental fillings (2)
- whitening (1)
- root canal (8)
- brushing (1)
- flossing (2)
- loose teeth (3)
- pediatric dentistry (26)
- teething (1)
- gummy smile (4)
- smoking (1)
- crown (1)
- tooth loss (2)
- root planing (1)
- bleaching (1)
- discolored teeth (1)
- stained teeth (1)
- chipped tooth (1)
- bonding (5)
- thumb sucking (2)
- tongue scraper (1)
- cosmetic gum surgery (2)
- medication (1)
- aspirin (1)
- dental treatment (1)
- fillings (4)
- sinus surgery (2)
- dental care (2)
- crown lengthening (1)
- composite resins (2)
- porcelain veneers (5)
- tooth extraction (4)
- dental injury (4)
- genetics (1)
- baby teeth (1)
- mouthguards (4)
- chipped teeth (1)
- air abrasion (1)
- athletic mouthguards (1)
- nutrition (9)
- bridge (1)
- partial denture (3)
- pregnancy (2)
- dental anxiety (1)
- tmj disorders (3)
- smile design (2)
- orthodontic treatment (4)
- cancer (2)
- diabetes (4)
- ulcers (1)
- canker sores (1)
- oral surgery (1)
- dental sealants (1)
- lichen planus (1)
- jaw pain (1)
- tooth staining (1)
- toothpaste (2)
- gummy smiles (1)
- root canal treatment (6)
- partial dentures (1)
- laser dentistry (1)
- mouth rash (1)
- tooth erosion (1)
- teeth grinding (3)
- dental cleaning (1)
- saliva (1)
- sensitive teeth (1)
- bone grafting (1)
- dental exam (1)
- space maintainer (1)
- artificial sweeteners (1)
- missing teeth (1)
- celebrity smiles (1)
- mouthguard (1)
- oral appliance (1)
- sugar (1)
- dental visit (1)
- blood pressure (2)
- removable partial denture (1)
- bruxism (2)
- plaque (1)
- loose tooth (2)
- medicine (1)
- x-ray (1)
- periodontist (1)
- chewing tobacco (1)
- GERD (1)
- local anesthesia (1)
Categories:

Do you ever get sores in your mouth that seem to appear for no reason and then disappear just as mysteriously? Chances are they’re aphthous ulcers — better known as canker sores.
These are irritating breaks in the protective lining of the mouth (oral mucosa) — akin to a blister without its dome — that are yellowish/grayish in the center surrounded by an aggravated red border. They typically develop in movable, thinner oral membranes such as the cheeks and lips, under the tongue, or the soft palate at the back of the mouth. Because they expose underlying tissues, canker sores can be quite painful, especially when eating or drinking.
Recurrent aphthous ulcers (RAS) affect up to 25% of the population, making them one the most common oral conditions. They are considered “minor” when they are smaller and “major” when they exceed 1 centimeter in diameter. Larger ones take more time to heal and may cause scarring. A less common type is herpetiform aphthae, so named because the small clusters of ulcers that characterize it are similar in appearance to those caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV1). However, unlike herpes-related cold sores and fever blisters, canker sores in any form are not contagious. Another difference is that ulcers from the herpes virus occur more frequently on the gums and hard palate.
No Clear Cause
There is no clear cause for canker sores. They often appear during stressful periods and times when resistance is down, suggesting an immune system malfunction. They may also be an allergic reaction to ingredients in food or oral products like toothpaste or mouthwash or related to an underlying medical conditions such as gastrointestinal diseases or nutritional deficiencies.
Canker sores usually resolve on their own within seven to ten days. Various over-the-counter and prescription treatments can help facilitate healing and help minimize pain along the way. If they do not resolve within two weeks; or they increase in severity, frequency or duration; or you’re never without a mouth sore it’s important to seek dental or medical attention as they could signify a more serious condition.
If you would like more information about canker sores, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation. You can also learn more about the subject by reading the Dear Doctor magazine article “Mouth Sores.”