Difference Between Canker Sores & Mouth Ulcers

Categories: Blog

woman suffering from canker sores

We’ve all been through the uncomfortable situation of waking up to a mouth ulcer or canker sore. Everybody has been a victim of these frustrating ulcers at least once in their life and understands how they can irritate your mouth and prevent you from enjoying food. If interfering with your food wasn’t enough, there’s a constant pain that can be caused by the slightest contact.�

Normally, people tend to confuse mouth ulcers with canker sores since they’re very similar conditions and characteristics. However, there’s an important difference between them that everybody should know in order to avoid confusing them. Before we dive into what makes them different, let’s define the concept for each.�

Mouth Ulcers

When you accidentally bite the inside of your cheek, burn your mouth with excessively hot food, or cut the inside of your mouth with your braces, it’s very possible that you’ll become a victim of mouth ulcers.

A mouth ulcer is a small lesion in the mouth that can occur on the lips, gums, tongue, cheeks or the roof of the mouth. They’re usually light yellowish on the center and bright red on the outside as a result of inflammation. This condition is not contagious nor a symptom of cancer, actually it’s a very common situation that can be treated very easily and fast.�

Canker SoresÐ’?

Canker sores have the same characteristics as mouth ulcers. They start with a small yellowish spot in your mouth that you can feel with your tongue and is very painful. An underlying condition called “Aphthous Stomatitis” is responsible for this pain. If you have this condition, then you’ll be frequently suffering from these irritating ulcers.�

What is the Difference?

Very simple. The difference between these conditions lies in the underlying cause. While mouth ulcers are caused by a trauma to the mouth, canker sores are the result of “Aphthous Stomatitis”, a condition that provokes this irritation regularly.�

Unfortunately, there is no treatment for canker sores, but you can reduce the risk of having them by taking measures to reduce infection (avoiding crunchy foods, drinking less fizzy drinks and alcohol, avoid extremely hot foods, etc). On the other hand, mouth ulcers are very easy to treat, pain killers, warm salty water, and avoiding contact on the ulcer will make it go away fast.

Looking for a Reliable Dentist in Knoxville?

Your oral hygiene is extremely important to avoid uncomfortable episodes of mouth ulcers or canker sores. Let an expert help you get the smile of your dreams and keep a lifestyle of excellent oral health.Ð’?

If you’re trying to find the best dentist in Knoxville, look no further than Jim Erpenbach DDS. Don’t hesitate to contact us for more information.�

CONTACT USÐ’?

We’ve all been through the uncomfortable situation of waking up to a mouth ulcer or canker sore. Everybody has been a victim of these frustrating ulcers at least once in their life and understands how they can irritate your mouth and prevent you from enjoying food. If interfering with your food wasn’t enough, there’s a constant pain that can be caused by the slightest contact.�

Normally, people tend to confuse mouth ulcers with canker sores since they’re very similar conditions and characteristics. However, there’s an important difference between them that everybody should know in order to avoid confusing them. Before we dive into what makes them different, let’s define the concept for each.�

Mouth Ulcers

When you accidentally bite the inside of your cheek, burn your mouth with excessively hot food, or cut the inside of your mouth with your braces, it’s very possible that you’ll become a victim of mouth ulcers.

A mouth ulcer is a small lesion in the mouth that can occur on the lips, gums, tongue, cheeks or the roof of the mouth. They’re usually light yellowish on the center and bright red on the outside as a result of inflammation. This condition is not contagious nor a symptom of cancer, actually it’s a very common situation that can be treated very easily and fast.�

Canker SoresÐ’?

Canker sores have the same characteristics as mouth ulcers. They start with a small yellowish spot in your mouth that you can feel with your tongue and is very painful. An underlying condition called “Aphthous Stomatitis” is responsible for this pain. If you have this condition, then you’ll be frequently suffering from these irritating ulcers.�

What is the Difference?

Very simple. The difference between these conditions lies in the underlying cause. While mouth ulcers are caused by a trauma to the mouth, canker sores are the result of “Aphthous Stomatitis”, a condition that provokes this irritation regularly.�

Unfortunately, there is no treatment for canker sores, but you can reduce the risk of having them by taking measures to reduce infection (avoiding crunchy foods, drinking less fizzy drinks and alcohol, avoid extremely hot foods, etc). On the other hand, mouth ulcers are very easy to treat, pain killers, warm salty water, and avoiding contact on the ulcer will make it go away fast.

Looking for a Reliable Dentist in Knoxville?

Your oral hygiene is extremely important to avoid uncomfortable episodes of mouth ulcers or canker sores. Let an expert help you get the smile of your dreams and keep a lifestyle of excellent oral health.Ð’?

If you’re trying to find the best dentist in Knoxville, look no further than Jim Erpenbach DDS. Don’t hesitate to contact us for more information.�

CONTACT USÐ’?