Canker sores resemble small ulcers that form inside your mouth. There are many reason you may develop canker sores in your mouth:
- some people experience dryness from toothpastes and mouthwashes containing sodium lauryl sulfate and canker sores may form;
- mechanical trauma, such as a sharp tooth, accidentally biting the inside of your mouth or a scrape from sharp food;
- nutritional deficiencies, including Vitamins B, Vitamin C, folic acid, calcium, zinc and selenium;
- psychological distress or emotional stress;
- sensitivities or allergies to certain foods or other substances that touch the oral tissues, such as fruits, vegetables, cereal grains, dairy products, nuts, soy, vinegar, chocolate and additives such as benzoic acid;
- a genetic predisposition to canker sores;
- hormonal changes for women during pregnancy or menstrual cycles;
- exposure to viral and/or bacterial infectious agents;
- certain medical conditions such as inflammatory bowel diseases and Behcet’s disease;
- use of certain medications, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and chemotherapeutic agents.
Canker sores usually heal within four to fourteen days and are not known to be contagious. Canker sores form on the loose tissues inside your mouth. Often you can alleviate canker sores by figuring out the cause of the ulcers in your mouth. You dentist can be helpful in determining the cause of the canker sores that appear in your mouth, as well as in choosing a suitable treatment for you.
