Canker sores are small, round, open sores inside your mouth.
The center of the canker sore can be white or yellow.
They can be painful.
They are not harmful.
What causes them?
We do not know what causes canker sores.
There are things that may trigger them:
Stress
Not getting enough iron or vitamin B12
Food allergies
Fatigue
Biting your cheek or tongue
Who can get them?
Anyone can get canker sores.
Teens and young adults get them more often.
Women also get them more than men do.
Canker sores can run in families.
What are the signs and symptoms?
The first sign can be a tingling feeling in your child's mouth.
A sore that looks like a small, round, red spot or bump will form.
It will then turn into an open canker sore. The center of the canker sore can look white or yellow
It is usually small.
They can be painful
Are they contagious?
No, canker sores are not contagious.
How are they treated?
Most canker sores heal by themselves.
There is no treatment that will stop canker sores from coming back. You can do some things to lessen the pain.
Homemade mouthwashes. Swish the mouthwash in your mouth for one minute and spit it out. Do not swallow. Do not use for children who cannot spit it out (usually children less than 7 years).
Mouthwash #1: 2 ounces of hydrogen peroxide + 2 ounces of water
Mouthwash #2: 4 ounces of water + 1 teaspoon of salt + 1 teaspoon of baking soda
Over-the-counter drugs such as carbamide peroxide, benzocaine, menthol, or eucalyptol can lessen the pain.
The doctor may give your child a prescription drug.
Do not eat spicy foods or acidic foods such as lemons or tomatoes.
Do not eat sharp foods like potato chips. They can poke the canker sore.
Carefully brush your teeth so you don't poke the canker sore.
How long do they last?
Canker sores can last for 2 weeks.
The pain is usually gone in 3 to 4 days.
Can they be prevented?
Canker sores cannot be prevented.
When should I call the doctor?
Call your doctor if your child's canker sore does not go away.
Call your doctor if your child's canker sore gets worse.
Call your doctor if your child also gets a fever, diarrhea, headache, or skin rash
Call your doctor if you have any questions about your child's condition.
Quick Answers
Canker sores are small, round, open sores inside your mouth
We do not know what causes canker sores. Stress, not getting enough iron or vitamin B12, food allergies, fatigue, and biting your cheek or tongue can trigger them.
Teens and young adults get them more often.
They can be painful
Most canker sores heal by themselves.
There is no treatment that will stop canker sores from coming back. But there are things that you can do to lessen the pain.
Canker sores can last for 2 weeks.
Call your doctor if your child's canker sore does not go away, or gets worse.
Call your doctor if your child also gets a fever, diarrhea, headache, or skin rash.
References
American Dental Association. Common Mouth Sores. 2004. (cited 2004, January 29). URL: http://www.ada.org/public/topics/mouth_sores.asp
Familydoctor.org. Canker Sores: What Are They and What Can You Do About Them? 2002 October. (cited 2004, January 29). URL: http://familydoctor.org/613.xml
Federal Citizen Information Center. Canker Sores. 1992 July. (cited 2004, January 29). URL: http://www.pueblo.gsa.gov/cic_text/health/fever-blister/fever-canker.html
McKinley Health Center. Student Affairs/University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Canker Sores (Apthous Ulcers). 2002. (cited 2004, January 29). URL: http://www.mckinley.uiuc.edu/health-info/dis-cond/misc/cankerso.html
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