What are Canker Sores?

Canker sores or aphthous ulcers are characterized by shallow, small lesions which form on the soft tissues present in the mouth as well as at the base of the gums. Canker sores are not contagious; however, they are extremely painful and can make talking and eating difficult.

Usually, this condition goes away within 1-2 weeks. Consult an experienced dentist at Brighton Implant Clinic if you experience unusually painful or large canker sores.

Usually, canker sores are oval or round with a yellow or white center and a border that is red in colour. Canker sores form inside the mouth — on or under the tongue, inside the lips or cheeks, and at the bottom of the gums. A burning or tingling sensation may be felt a day or two before the appearance of the sores.

Kinds of Canker Sores

There’re several kinds of canker sores, including:

Minor canker sores
Minor canker sores are the most common type of canker sores: These sores are:

• Oval shaped
• Less than 12 millimeters, or 1/2 inch in diameter
• Heal without scarring in a week or two

Major canker sores
Major canker sores are the less common kind of canker sores and are:

• Greater than 12mm, or 1/2 inch in diameter
• May require around six weeks to heal as well as leave scarring
• Have irregular edges

Herpetiform canker sores
Herpetiform canker sores are typically experienced later in life:

• Have irregular edges
• Aren’t bigger than 3mm or 1/8 inch in diameter
• Heal with no scarring in a week or two
• Often take place in clusters of ten to hundred sores

Other symptoms of this condition include:

• Listlessness
• Fever
• Swollen lymph nodes