Whether you’ve just had a cold or one popped up randomly, mouth sores are a common problem for many patients.
Many patients that have mouth sores will experience them more than once. However, after the first diagnosis, patients usually know what to expect if another one happens to appear in the next six months or later down the road. Here are the three main types of mouth sores we see at our practice:
- Aphthous Ulcers (canker sores)
- Herpetic Ulcers (cold sores)
- Burning Mouth Syndrome
Contents
1) Aphthous Ulcers (Canker Sores)
Recurrent aphthous ulcers are the most common mouth sore. They’re typically white with a red border. Canker sores form on the soft tissues inside your mouth – for example, on the inner cheeks or lips, tongue, or gums – and unlike cold sores, they are not contagious (Mayo Clinic).
Sometimes people get them as children and have them throughout their life. These types of sores have been linked to low vitamin B12 deficiency. However, sometimes people who eat spicy foods regularly also get aphthous ulcers. Other causes of aphthous ulcers include biting your cheek or tongue or stress.
Treatment for Canker Sores
When we notice patients have aphthous ulcers, we ask them how long it has been there. As they typically go away on their own, we tell the patient to keep an eye on it to ensure it goes away within 7-10 days. If it doesn’t go away, we tell the patient to come back and see us in case it’s something else. For patients that start having a problem with ulcers, we sometimes recommend B12 supplements or melts if we think it could be related to a deficiency. B12 tabs go right over the ulcer to aid with healing.
Other times we suggest a mouth rinse like Rincinol for particularly bothersome or stubborn ulcers, often providing patients with a sample to try at home. Steroid rinses are also recommended for more severe cases. Many times, though, these ulcers don’t bother patients and will go away after a few days.
2) Herpetic Ulcers (Cold Sores)
Cold sores are another common mouth sore. Often, they are caused by the herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), which is a lifelong condition for affected patients. Cold sores are highly contagious – they can spread through close contact like kissing or sharing utensils, even when an outbreak isn’t visible (Mayo Clinic). Treating patients with active cold sores is not recommended, although there are exceptions. These lesions typically last between seven to 10 days, mainly appearing on the lips, tongue, gums, or roof of the mouth.
Treatment for Cold Sores
Although treating herpetic ulcers is a waiting game similar to aphthous ulcers, there are some products that we suggest to provide relief to patients. For example, we can prescribe antiviral creams or medications, or Abreva is an over-the-counter option.
3) Burning Mouth Syndrome
Burning mouth disorder is sometimes linked to geographic tongue, a harmless condition that causes red patches on the tongue. Vitamin deficiencies or medications typically cause it. Patients affected by this usually experience a burning sensation when eating or drinking something spicy or acidic. The burning can affect the tongue, lips, palate, or widespread areas of the mouth and is often accompanied by a dry mouth feeling or an altered taste, sometimes bitter or metallic (Mayo Clinic).
Treatment for Burning Mouth Syndrome
Treatment typically involves using an over-the-counter product such as Rincinol or Closys, which helps to soothe and heal irritation.
Other Mouth Conditions
Fordyce granules and hemangiomas are two other common mouth conditions. Fordyce granules are little sweat glands within the mouth that you can see. These are normal, and many people have them. Hemangiomas are almost like a blood blister — we see them often where patients have areas of trauma, typically from biting. It usually looks like a purple bubble on their cheeks or gums.
When We Recommend a Specialist
If we see something different or abnormal, we recommend that patients see a specialist for a biopsy or get it clipped off. Sometimes the boundary of a lesion or the color will also determine if we advise patients to see a specialist. If ulcers start to grow, we will send them to get a biopsy after a few weeks of no change. However, most of the time, mouth sores are common and cause no harm, eventually disappearing after a few days by themselves. A visit to the dentist might be in order for stubborn cold sores that don’t seem to get better.
At Cedarwood Dentistry, we cultivate dental health through personalized care. We offer a variety of dental services, including family dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, and emergency care in Midlothian, Virginia. Whether you last visited the dentist six months or six years ago, we can help bring your smile to life. Schedule your dentist appointment today by calling 804-379-9375.