Almost everybody gets a mouth ulcer from time to time, which is a small sore in the mouth that causes some discomfort when eating or talking until it goes away on its own after a couple of days. These sores occur quite frequently, but in most cases, they are not something you should be concerned about. However, it is also important to know when it is better to visit the dentist due to a mouth ulcer or a sore in your mouth rather than wait it out.
What Is a Canker Sore?
Canker sores, or aphthous ulcers, are shallow lesions in the soft tissues of the mouth, including the inside of the cheeks, the lips or the gums near the bottom. They are usually round or oval sores with white or yellow centres surrounded by red edges. Sometimes they might cause irritation or even severe pain when consuming some specific foods.
Canker sores are really common, and almost everyone gets them from time to time in their life.
Common Causes
The exact cause of any individual canker sore isn’t always clear, but several factors are commonly associated with them, including:
- Minor injury to the inside of the mouth, such as accidentally biting your cheek or irritation from braces or a rough tooth edge
- Certain foods, particularly acidic or spicy ones, in people prone to sores
- Stress
- Hormonal changes
- Vitamin or mineral deficiencies, such as low vitamin B12, iron, or folate
- Some toothpaste ingredients, particularly sodium lauryl sulfate, in sensitive individuals
- A family history of frequent canker sores
What Normal Healing Usually Looks Like
Typical canker sores generally follow a fairly predictable pattern. They tend to appear fairly suddenly, cause some discomfort for a few days, particularly when eating or drinking, and then gradually heal on their own, usually within one to two weeks, without leaving a scar.
While they’re present, some simple measures can help with comfort, including avoiding acidic, spicy, or rough foods that might irritate the area, rinsing with warm salt water, and using an over-the-counter oral gel if needed for pain relief. If you’re prone to frequent canker sores, it’s worth mentioning this to your dentist, since they may be able to identify a contributing factor, such as a toothpaste ingredient or a rough spot on a tooth or filling.
When a Sore Isn’t Just a Typical Canker Sore
While most mouth sores are harmless and resolve on their own, certain signs suggest it’s worth having a sore properly assessed rather than assuming it will heal like a typical ulcer. These include:
A sore that hasn’t healed within two to three weeks. Most canker sores clear up well within this window. A sore that persists beyond this, particularly one that isn’t improving at all, should be assessed by a dentist.
Unusually large or unusually frequent sores. If sores are noticeably bigger than a typical canker sore, or you’re getting new ones very frequently, this is worth raising with your dentist or doctor.
Sores that keep appearing in the same spot. A recurring sore in exactly the same location, especially if there’s a nearby rough tooth, filling, or denture edge, may be linked to ongoing irritation that’s worth identifying and addressing.
A sore accompanied by other symptoms. Fever, difficulty swallowing, significant swelling, or feeling generally unwell alongside a mouth sore warrants prompt assessment.
Any patch, lump, or sore that’s changing in appearance. Changes in colour, texture, size, or a sore that becomes hard or thickened over time should always be checked properly rather than monitored casually at home.
Numbness or persistent pain that seems out of proportion to what you’d expect from a typical ulcer.
This isn’t intended to cause alarm, since the vast majority of mouth sores are simple, harmless canker sores. It’s about knowing when “wait and see” is reasonable, and when it’s better to have it looked at by a professional who can assess it properly.
Why Persistent Sores Shouldn’t Be Ignored
In most cases where the sores require medical attention, they can be explained quite simply, such as being irritated by an overgrown tooth, poor-fitting dentures, or a nutritional deficiency that is easy to rectify when found. On rarer occasions, they could indicate something that requires extra attention to fix the problem. In either case, the only surefire way to figure out exactly what one is dealing with is through a proper diagnosis, not by assuming based on how the sore appears or its longevity.
How to React If You Go to Your Dentist With Sores in the Mouth
The doctor will examine the sores, inquire into their duration and whether they have occurred before, and look for causes like overgrowth of teeth or ill-fitting dental work. According to what is discovered, your dentist will advise on what to do next. It is nothing out of the ordinary to go to the dentist for these sores, and they should not be taken lightly.
Conclusion
Occasional canker sores that heal within a couple of weeks are a normal, common part of life for most people and generally don’t need professional attention beyond simple comfort measures at home. Sores that are unusually large, frequent, persistent beyond two to three weeks, or accompanied by other symptoms are worth having properly assessed.
If you have a mouth sore that’s lingering longer than expected, or you’re getting them more often than feels normal, the best dentist in Brighton at Lifestyle Smiles can take a look and help identify what’s actually going on.
