Everyone dreads getting canker sores.  While they are a nuisance (and sometimes a very painful one at that), there are ways to fight them.

Anyone who suffers from canker sores--known medically as aphthous ulcers--knows the symptoms all too well.  The first symptom of a canker sore is typically a minor pain inside the mouth.  Then after a day or two, that pain turns info the actual canker sore: a round ulcer that is white or yellow with a red border.  They typically will go away somewhere between one and two weeks later, but in the meantime, they can be painful and make eating or talking difficult.

The most common type of canker sore, like the one described above, is known as a minor canker sore.  As the name suggests, these aren't very large; usually, less than 10 millimeters across.  However, there are also major canker sores, which are identified by being larger than 10 millimeters and irregularly shaped.  These are worse in every imaginable way: they last longer (over a month), they are more painful, and they can leave a scar.  So believe it or not, something as seemingly insignificant as a canker sore can be quite the problem.

Although canker sores are very common, they remain surprisingly mysterious.  For instance, the exact cause of them is not always known, though there are many possible factors that are believed to contribute to them.  These include trauma to the mouth, certain allergies, nutrient deficiencies, stress, citrus foods, and many more.  (See the "canker sore causes" section to learn more).

The good news for people with canker sores is that there are many treatment options.  Some examples are antiviral drugs, mouth rinses, and pastes.  Many of these treatments can be purchased over-the-counter, though a few of them require a prescription.  Some of these canker sore remedies are intended to reduce pain, while others are supposed to shorten the ulcer's duration.

Additionally, there are lots of canker sore natural remedies and alternative treatments that can be tried.  For example, a salt water mouth rinse can help, as can a diluted hydrogen peroxide rinse.  Other strategies call for covering the canker sore in a powder, such as baking soda or milk of magnesia.  Other home remedied include using ice or taking vitamin pills.

Of course, the best way to deal with canker sores is to prevent them by avoiding potential triggers.  For some people this means cutting back on citrus fruits, and for others, in means eating less salty foods.  Another thing to try is using a mouthwash once or twice a day, and switching away from toothpastes that have an additive called sodium dodecyl sulfate. 

Again, canker sores are a very common problem, and even though there is no way to instantly cure them, there are many methods to treat and prevent them.  So if you are sick of getting canker sores, realize that you're not helpless against them!  To learn more, please check out the other sections of this site.