The following are a few of the most common mouth sores people experience and their causes, as well as when you should seek professional treatment!

Canker Sores

Canker sores can have a variety of causes, from hormones to food sensitivities to stress. Presenting as small sores with a whitish center and red edges, canker sores can happen anywhere on the soft tissues of the oral cavity.

Most canker sores will go away within 10 days and are nothing to be concerned about. However, you should seek help if your canker sore isn’t gone within two weeks, is extremely painful, or you have a fever along with the sore [1].

Cold Sores

Occurring outside the mouth on the lips or around the lips, cold sores are caused by herpes simplex viruses (most commonly type 1). While painful and uncomfortable, the sores generally only last a week.

You should seek treatment for cold sores if you have several sores, sores spreading to other parts of your body (such as near your eyes or on your hands), or your sores don’t go away after two weeks [2]. People who have a weakened immune system or get cold sores frequently should also seek treatment.

Oral Cancer

Mouth sores caused by oral cancer can develop anywhere on the soft tissues in your mouth and may present as a red or white lesions that don’t go away [3]. The sore may also be a lump that could be small and painless, but if it’s oral cancer, it will continue to grow.

Your dentist can identify oral cancer during your regular checkup, which makes keeping your bi-annual exams all the more important. While people who use tobacco are at the highest risk for oral cancer, anyone can develop the disease. Any lesions that don’t go away within two weeks—whether or not they’re painful—should be evaluated by your dentist.

Oral Thrush

A small amount of a yeast called candida normally exists in your mouth. Oral bacteria and your immune system help keep this yeast from overgrowing and causing problems. However, for some people, candida will overgrow and cause a condition called oral thrush.

Oral thrush can cause white sores in the mouth and on the tongue that can be uncomfortable [4]. People who have compromised immune systems, diabetes, or are taking steroid medications are more at risk to develop oral thrush. You should seek treatment if you’re having symptoms, including pain when swallowing, bad breath, a white tongue, or abnormal taste.

Experiencing Mouth Sores?

If you frequently suffer from mouth sores or have persistent mouth sores that don’t go away, it’s time to follow up with your dentist. Your oral healthcare professional can identify your mouth sore and discuss potential causes and treatment options with you to help you feel your best!

Sources:
1. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/canker-sore/symptoms-causes/syc-
2. https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/a-z/cold-sores-treatment
3. https://oralcancerfoundation.org/dental/oral-cancer-images/
4. https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/diseases-conditions/thrush-children-and-

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Cold sores take the form of a red, sometimes large-looking, blister that is often referred to as a “fever blister”. Indeed, these sores can cause fever, swollen lymph nodes, and even a headache. These sores are always outside of the mouth, usually on the edge of your lip. Cold sores are caused by the Type 1 herpes simplex virus, which is different from the Type 2 herpes virus, which is also referred to as genital herpes, passed along through sexual contact. Type 1 herpes virus is highly contagious and can be passed along simply through touching the cold sore, kissing, sharing drinks or food, and any other contact with it. Once you have this Type 1 herpes virus, it doesn’t go away, but the good news is that your cold sores will come and go and are not destined to stay long.

The cold sore may be oozing a clear fluid and will likely scab over after a time. They can be pretty painful in addition to the other symptoms that they cause, but the good news is they don’t last long and should be totally gone after a two-week period. While there are some over-the-counter treatments available, the truth is that cold sores will just have to go away on their own. If your cold sore is still hanging around after two weeks, it may be time to visit the doctor!

Canker Sores—Inside

Canker sores are always inside your mouth, but their position in your mouth will vary. They could be along your tongue, on your inner upper lip, lower lip, or on the side of your mouth. Wherever they are in your mouth, they are usually pretty painful for their size. They are typically small sores that are gray, yellow, or white with a red, irritated-looking ring around it. These are usually open sores and while not contagious, can be pretty annoying. It’s not known what causes canker sores, but stress, vitamin or mineral deficiencies, food allergies, and even hormones have been thought to play a role in their existence. Like cold sores, a canker sore will need to heal on its own, and the pain usually goes away after a few days and the entire sore should be gone after a week or two. Again, if it sticks around, you’ll likely need to visit your doctor to make sure nothing else is going on. Canker sores can also cause symptoms like that of cold sores—swollen lymph nodes or a fever.

Maintaining your oral health can help you avoid a canker sore, but cold sores may be more apt to appear on their own regardless of your oral health. Minimizing sharing of food and drinks with others and monitor your canker sore or cold sore to ensure it heals on its own.

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