If you notice that you keep getting small, unpleasant ulcers on the inside of your mouth, you may be dealing with canker sores. These are a type of shallow ulcer that typically looks pale with an inflamed red border around it. The most common location is along the inner lip, but a canker sore can also occur along the inside of the cheeks or the gum line. They can be very unpleasant, causing a lot of discomfort while eating, drinking, or moving the mouth. There are three main types of sores: minor, major, and herpetiform. Minor sores are very common.
They look like a small oval and heal within a couple of weeks. Major sores are less common, and they may take almost two months to heal. A major canker sore is much deeper and bigger than a minor one, and it may have irregular borders instead of being a smooth circle or oval. Herpetiform canker sores are tiny sores that cluster in a bunch somewhere in the mouth. They are not caused by the herpes virus, despite the name, and they heal within a couple of weeks. Though it is possible to treat some of the symptoms of a canker sore, it may come back if you do not also treat the underlying cause. These are some of the major causes of canker sores.
1. Swollen Lymph Nodes
Lymph nodes are small clusters of lymphatic tissue scattered throughout the body, and they help to trap and fight off infections before the harmful organisms can travel to other areas of the body. A swollen lymph node will feel like a small lump under the skin that is roughly the size of a kidney bean. It may feel tender or sore, especially when touched. Common areas for swollen lymph nodes include under the chin, along the armpits, the groin, and behind the ears. Whenever a person gets a swollen lymph node, they are very likely to also develop a canker sore.
Swollen nodes in the head or neck are most commonly linked to canker sores, but the swollen lymph node causing the canker sore may be anywhere in the body. These two conditions are linked because a canker sore is often caused by a weakened immune system. The body is busy dealing with whatever virus, bacteria, or other illness that is trapped in the lymph node, so it does not have time to fight off infections that cause sores in the mouth. There are many infections that can cause a swollen lymph node and canker sore to develop. Typical ones include mononucleosis, measles, strep throat, ear infections, and tooth abscesses. Other potential causes include tuberculosis, sexually transmitted diseases, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and lymphoma.
2. Fever
Fever typically accompanies a sore, and these two health problems are very closely related. In some cases, the sore causes the fever, and in other cases, the fever may be caused by a sore. If a fever is causing a sore, it is generally a sign that your body is trying to fight off some sort of infection. While the immune system is focusing on raising body temperature to fight off invaders, a canker sore can develop in the mouth. The type of sore most commonly associated with a fever is a herpetiform sore which is identified by several small sores clustered together.
3. Flu
Many people notice that they are far more likely to develop a canker sore when they are sick with the flu or any other sort of virus. Before a person even notices any of flu symptoms, they may find a small sore in their mouth. This happens because the immune system cannot easily fight off other minor infections when it is busy dealing with the flu. This makes it easier for a canker sore to develop in the mouth from any sort of minor irritation. People who get a sore along with the flu may find that it does not heal until they begin to recover from the flu.
4. Extreme Temperature Exposure
Anything that causes damage to the delicate skin in the mouth can end up causing a sore to develop. One of the most common causes is exposure to extreme temperatures. These extreme temperatures may either be excessively hot or excessively cold. This type of sore tends to develop after a person drinks or eats something very hot. Even if they do not get burnt, a sore may pop up in a few days. Sores from cold are less common, but they can still happen if you either eat an excessive amount of frozen food or spend time in the chilly outdoors.
5. Cuts in Mouth
The inside of the mouth is made of very sensitive tissue, and it is regularly exposed to sharp bits of food that may end up causing some damage to the inside of the mouth. Cuts in the mouth can end up turning into a sore. The likelihood of cuts in the mouth causing a sore are much more likely if the cut gets infected or cannot heal properly, but even the smallest cut can end up causing a mouth ulcer. The inside of the mouth can be cut by sharp foods, improperly fitting braces, or rough tooth brushes, so it is important to treat the mouth with care if you want to avoid canker sores.
6. Allergies
In some situations, a canker sore may be a natural reaction to allergies. These allergies can vary greatly, ranging from pollen to food allergies. Anything that touches the mouth may potentially end up causing sores. Many sores are caused by an allergy to sodium lauryl sulfate, a very common ingredient in toothpastes and mouthwashes. In some cases, a person may even be allergic to certain types of bacteria that naturally live in their mouth. Allergies cause a sore because they can irritate areas of the skin they touch. The immune system then overreacts to the allergic trigger, causing the ulcer to worsen.
7. Vitamin Deficiency
There are several different types of vitamin deficiencies that can end up causing a canker sore. This can happen because the body struggles to keep the outer layers of the skin healthy when it is not properly nourished. The most common vitamin deficiency to cause a canker sore is a lack of vitamin B-12 which can be found in meat, fish, eggs, and milk. Lacking folic acid, another type of B vitamin, may also result in a canker sore. B vitamin deficiencies may be the most common cause of a nutritional deficiency related canker sore, but a lack of vitamin D, zinc, or iron can make the sore take longer to heal.
