Are you one of the millions of Americans who suffers from recurrent apthous ulcerations (i.e. canker sores)? If so, we've compiled some information you may find helpful.
Canker sores are one of the most common oral pathoses. The prevalence in the general population has been reported to vary from 5% to 66%. Canker sores are triggered by a variety of causative agents, and there appear to be different triggers for different people. The following have all been reported to be responsible for canker sores:
- allergies
- genetic predisposition
- nutritional deficiencies
- hematologic abnormalities
- hormonal influences
- infectious agents
- trauma
- stress
- systemic disorders (such as celiac disease, cyclic neutropenia, reiter's disease, behcet's syndrome)
As if one variation of canker sores wasn't more than enough, there are actually three. They are Minor, Major, and Herpetiform.
Minor apthous ulcerations represent the form found in up to 80% of those affected. Patients with minor apthous ulcerations have the fewest recurrences and the lesions exhibit the shortest duration. The canker sores are typically 3-10mm in diameter and heal without scarring in 7-14 days. Anywhere from 1 to 5 lesions may be present during each episode. The most commonly involved sites are the buccal and labial mucosa (inside the cheek and lip), the underside of the tongue, floor of the mouth, and soft palate. Females are more affected than males.
Major apthous ulcerations occur in about 10% of those affected. They are larger (1-3 cm) and have the longest duration per episode (2-6 weeks). They may cause scarring. Any oral surface may be affected, but the labial mucosa, soft palate, and tonsillar area are most common sites.
Herpetiform apthous ulcerations have the greatest number of lesions and the most frequent recurrences. The lesions are small (1-3 mm in diameter), but there may be clusters of up to 100 in a single recurrence. The ulcerations heal within 7-10 days but the recurrences are often closely spaced.
So what can you do about these little sores that bring a lot of pain? If you suffer from frequent recurrences, it is important that your medical history is reviewed for any signs and symptoms of a system disorder that may be associated with canker-like ulcerations. Unfortunately, there is no medicine that will eliminate a canker sore on the spot. For minor sores, a topical therapy can be provided to minimize the discomfort for the 7-14 days they take to heal. Major apthous ulcerations are more resistant to therapy and often warrant a more potent corticosteroid. Laser ablation has been proposed, as it may shorten the duration of the sore and decrease symptoms. It is often of limited practical benefit, however, since patients cannot return with each canker sore recurrence.
If you suffer from frequent canker sores and would like to be evaluated by a dentist, feel free to contact us via our website www.kalamazoodds.com
