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Posts for tag: ulcers

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.”

Dentist - Boonville
911 Aigner Dr
Boonville, IN 47601
(812) 897-1410
Archive:
- 2019
- 2018
- June (6)
- Winning the War on Gum Disease Requires Post-Treatment Vigilance
- 3 Types of Tooth Pain and What They Might be Telling You
- Keep on Course during the 3 Phases of a Smile Makeover
- June Is National Safety Month: Be Prepared for Dental Emergencies
- Finding the Right Solution for Your Gummy Smile
- Watch Out for Signs of Gum Recession
- March (5)
- Get an Early Start Treating Root Resorption Before it's Too Late
- A Partial Denture Can Restore a Smile Marred by a Few Missing Teeth
- Consider Saving a Tooth Before you Decide to Replace it
- A Child's Teeth Grinding is Normal - But You Should Still Keep an Eye on it
- A Pediatric Dentist Could be a Great Choice for Your Child's Dental Care
- 2017
- December (5)
- Survey Says: They'd Rather Have a Root Canal
- Have a Loose Tooth? You'll Need This Two-Phase Treatment to Save It
- There's Still Hope for a Re-Infected Tooth After Root Canal Treatment
- Provisional Restorations let you Try out Your New Smile First
- 3 Ways You Can Help Your Child Feel at Home at the Dentist
- June (5)
- Include Limitations on Sugar in Your Tooth Decay Prevention Strategy
- Teeth Grinding in Older Children and Adolescents a Cause for Concern
- No- or Minimal-Prep Veneers Reduce Permanent Alterations to Your Teeth
- See Your new Look Before Dental Work with a 'Trial Smile'
- Overcoming Gum Recession will Restore Dental Health and your Smile
- February (5)
- The Parent-Dentist Partnership: Establishing Better Oral Health for Your Child
- Know the Facts Before Considering Botox for Jaw Joint Pain
- Try Conservative Measures to Treating TMD Before More Aggressive Options
- Avoid Permanent Tooth Alteration with No-Prep Veneers
- Don't Let Your Loose Tooth Become a Lost Tooth
- 2016
- October (5)
- Cleaning Your Oral Appliance Extends its Life and Ensures Good Health
- Stop Annoying Canker Sores with These Effective Treatments
- New Understanding of Bacteria Promises Better Approaches to Oral Care
- Gum Recession Could Shorten the Life of Your Teeth
- Don't let Gum Disease - the 'Other Dental Disease' - Rob you of Your Smile
- August (5)
- A Second Root Canal Treatment May Help Save an Endangered Tooth
- Metal Dental Amalgam: Still a Safe and Effective Tooth Filling
- Keep Your Saliva Flowing - Your Oral Health Depends on it
- You can Still have Implants with Diabetes - if you have it under Control
- People Born with Missing Teeth can Still Gain a Beautiful Smile
- June (5)
- Be Sure Your Child has Access to Dental-Friendly Snacks at School
- Patchy Discolorations on the Tongue Aren't a Cause for Worry
- Take These Measures to Lower Your Child's Tooth Decay Risk
- Home Whitening Kits are Safe and Effective, if Used the Right Way
- 4 Reasons Saving Your Child's Decayed Baby Tooth is a Good Idea
- March (5)
- 5 Ways to Make Your Smile More Confident and Inviting
- Though not Always Seen, it's Still Important to Replace a Missing Back Tooth
- Removable Dentures Remain a Viable Option for People with Total Tooth Loss
- Find out What Kind of Tooth Staining you Have Before Seeking a Solution
- Gaining a New Attractive Smile is More than Achievable
- 2015
- December (5)
- Periodontal Surgery may be Needed to Halt Gum Disease and Encourage Healing
- Customized Temporary Crowns let you 'Rehearse' Your Future Smile
- Paying Attention to Certain Factors Helps Ensure Successful Implant Outcomes
- Treating Dry Mouth is Important for Maintaining Good Oral Health
- Implant-Based Removable Dentures a Good Choice for Patients with Extensive Bone Loss
- 2014
- 2013
- December (5)
- Taking Care of your Teeth During Pregnancy Helps Both you and your Baby
- Dental Amalgam Fillings Remain a Safe and Reliable Tooth Restoration Option
- New Permanent Teeth - Faster Than Ever!
- Quitting the Smoking Habit Could Vastly Improve Your Dental Health
- Loose Dentures Could Lead to Further Bone Loss
- 2012
- 2011
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