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Canker Sores
Canker sores (recurrent aphthous stomatitis, RAS) are among the most common of oral
conditions and are experienced by more than half of the population. These small, round or oval,
painful yellowish sores often first appear in adolescence.
They usually affect the softer parts of the mouth that move, such as the tongue, soft palate,
cheeks, and lips. This condition is recurrent because these sores usually will heal on their own
but then reappear in the same or new locations after a period of time. In some severe cases, old
ulcers may be healing while new ones appear.
There are three main forms:
Minor Aphthous Stomatitis: this is the form that affects more than 80% of canker sore sufferers.
The sores are usually small (less than 1 centimeter in diameter), heal in about a week, and do
not cause scarring.
Major Aphthous Stomatitis: this more severe form affects approximately 15% of patients with
canker sores. These sores often last two weeks or more and are typically over 1 centimeter in
diameter. They can be extremely painful and often heal with scarring.
Herpetiform Aphthous Stomatitis: This form of the condition is uncommon, occurring in less than
5% of people with canker sores. They occur as clusters of very small ulcers (less than a
millimeter in some cases) that sometimes merge together to form larger ulcers. They usually
heal in just over one week.
Most of the time, canker sores are self-limiting. This means that they will go away even without
treatment. The cause of canker sores is not known. However, in some instances, they can be a
sign of other conditions affecting the body (such as a gastrointestinal disease). Be sure to tell
your doctor if you are experiencing fatigue, abdominal pain, fever, eye discomfort, or have
rashes or sores on other parts of your body.
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Canker Sores
A
Typical
Aphthous
Ulceration
More
Extensive
Major
Ulcerations
QUESTIONS
AND
ANSWERS
ABOUT
CANKER
SORES
Q:
Is
the
condition
contagious?
Did
Iassociated
catch
it
and
can
Ipain,
give
itconnections
to
anyone
else?
A:
No.
This
condition
is
not
like
herpes
and
cannot
befrom
transmitted,
even
you
have
open
sores.
the
difference?
biopsy
The
to
location
be
certain.
is
aof
good
clue.
Your
doctor
may
recommend
performing
culture
orwithout
a diet,
Then
what
causes
canker
sores?
causes
they
mouthwash.
Crohn’s
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blood
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to
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deficiencies.
thought
to
be
food
attack
to
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be
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caused
mucosal
with
or
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components
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cells
immune
systemic
lining
system
of
the
conditions
toothpastes
mouth.
Sometimes
such
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ashould
that
How
can
IMinor
tell
if
my
canker
sores
are
related
to
an
allergy
or
systemic
condition?
Sometimes
your
Your
doctor
doctor
simple
may
can
suggest
blood
often
tests
allergy
make
may
this
testing.
be
diagnosis
required
after
to
see
carefully
ifby
you
assessing
have
aapplied
nutritional
your
medical
deficiency,
history.
or
Is
there
a
cure
for
canker
sores?
and
stronger
A:
Not
even
yet.
systemic
reduce
However,
how
medications.
therapies
often
they
are
occur.
available
These
to
range
decrease
creams
shorten
the
to
time
the
of
sores
the
to
ulcers,
Q:
Can
anything
prevent
them?
you
toothpaste,
her
The
develop
have
best
outbreaks
or
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way
more
lifestyle.
to
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of
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sores,
share
you
strategy.
them
may
this
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information
find
to
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with
ulcer
are
your
diary.
doctor
By
writing
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itmalfunction
between
may
down
help
your
when
him
or
What
about
“canker
sore
toothpastes”?
SLS
These
free
toothpaste
lack
acanker
detergent
reduces
known
the
frequency
as
SLS
(sodium
of
outbreaks.
lauryl
sulfate).
In
some
patients,
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an
should
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talk
to
my
dentist
about
my
Canker
Sores?
an
factors
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in
sore
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sheet
or
feel
per
that
month,
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ififown
you
could
are
be
never
other
Q:
IWhen
see
many
medicines
in
the
store.
Is
one
better
than
the
other?
product
each
advise
sores.
Information
A:Japanese
While
other.
your
and
summary
there
Sheet
dentist
there
product
are
are
“Treatment
numerous
of
commonly
any
few
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products
well
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recommended
Canker
well
you
for
marketed
have
Sores”
trials
you
may
used
comparing
therapeutic
to
not
or
treat
are
work
canker
the
currently
agents
well
efficacy
for
sores,
is
using
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to
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your
the
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Patient
against
Prepared
by
the
AAOM
Web
Writing
Group
Updated
31
December
2007
Translation - 日本語訳
Reliance
The
is
suspect
Spanish
not
information
aA
substitute
you
Translation - Traducción
on
any
may
contained
information
have
for
professional
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health
in
provided
this
concern,
monograph
medical
in
this
consult
advice,
monograph
is
for
your
diagnosis,
educational
professional
Español
is
solely
or
purposes
treatment.
at
health
your
only.
care
Iftreat
you
risk.
This
provider.
have
information
or
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