Why won’t my canker sore go away? Sometimes we have a canker sore that lasts a long time but we don’t know if we should worry or not. We would like to understand the pathology before going to see a doctor. This article aims at fulfilling this need to know by explaining in very simple words what this problem is, as well as other helpful information on the subject.
I. What Is Canker Sore (Mouth Ulcers)?
Mouth ulcers are also called aphthous stomatitis. They are ulcers that develop in the mouth. Mouth ulcers can appear on the inside of the cheeks, on the tongue, or even on the inside of the lips.
It is important to note that the mucous membrane of the mouth has many similarities with the skin.
When a small vessel becomes blocked, there is ulceration, which can become necrosis. This may end up forming a small hole, hence the canker sore.
Canker sores are round in appearance, with red edges. They are painful, making chewing difficult.
There are many causes of mouth ulcers. It can be a symptom of an underlying disease, a drug allergy, vitamin deficiencies, and even stress.
Normally, mouth ulcers disappear on their own after a few days. But there are ways to get relief, including mouthwashes or topical gels.
If the mouth ulcers persist for more than two or three weeks, then a medical consultation is necessary. It is also necessary if the mouth ulcers are recurrent, which unfortunately often happens.
II. How Long Do Mouth Ulcers Last?
Mouth ulcers do not last long. Usually, the pain they cause lasts for 3 to 10 days before disappearing.
This is called a common canker sore. It is also smaller and does not take long to heal.
After a week or two, mouth ulcers go away on their own.
Larger mouth ulcers, called giant mouth ulcers, take longer to go away. They are also rarer, and often require medical treatment to clear.
III. Why Won’t My Canker Sore Go Away?
Sometimes we feel that our canker sore does not want to heal anymore. We don’t know what to do any longer. It lasts so long that we lose hope of being able to cure it, even though we have tried everything.
Usually the canker sore reinfects itself continuously because of a lack of hygiene and discontinuity of treatment. And sometimes, unfortunately, the underlying reason is a more serious disease that should be sought and treated beforehand to be able to treat our canker sores.
Let’s see all this in more detail:
1. How to Treat a Canker Sore that Lasts?
The first thing to do if your canker sore lasts more than 15 days is to consult a doctor.
The doctor will do some tests, especially on the size, the location, or the color of the canker sore. In cases of persistent canker sores, a biopsy can be done to find out if it is cancer.
The treatment will depend directly on the cause.
It can happen that a canker sore does not disappear because of a badly installed or defective brace. In this case, the action is simple. The doctor will ask you to change it or to have it readjusted.
If the analyses show nutrient or vitamin deficiencies, you will be asked to supplement your diet.
You will be given a prescription to rebalance your diet, and perhaps even food supplements.
But it may also happen that the analyses show the presence of another pathology. If this is the case, your doctor will refer you to a specialist.
Mouth ulcers that last (like recurring ones) are often signs of an underlying disease.
But they can also be caused by almost constant stress. So, it’s always best to find a way to manage your stress to prevent canker sores from returning.
Exercise, meditate or play music – it doesn’t matter what method you use, as long as it calms you down.
2. How to Keep Canker Sores from Coming Back?
Mouth ulcers tend to come back once they have been treated. There are methods to limit the risk of recurrence.
First, you need to take care of your oral hygiene. Use a soft toothbrush, which will prevent irritation in your mouth.
Pay attention to the foods you eat. Put aside foods that are grating, too spicy, or too acidic. This can affect the lining of your mouth.
Toothpaste containing sodium lauryl sulfate has been identified as capable of causing mouth ulcers. They should be avoided.
Instead, choose a mild, good bacteria toothpaste with proteins already naturally present in the mouth. This type of toothpaste will clean your mouth while increasing your immune system.
There are also natural treatments such as the use of baking soda, ginger, or essential oils.
But once you have consulted your doctor, follow the treatment he or she has given you. If you use a natural treatment method in addition to your medication, talk to your doctor.
3. What Disease Causes Canker Sores?
Some diseases can cause canker sores. This is the case, for example, with celiac disease, an intestinal condition linked to gluten intolerance.
Studies have shown the link between this and the appearance of mouth ulcers.
Behcet’s disease can also lead to the development of mouth ulcers. It is a pathology that mainly affects young men between 20 and 30 years old. It is an inflammation of the blood vessels.
Mouth ulcers can occur in the mouth as well as on the genitals and even in the eyes.
It should also be noted that cancer can cause canker sores. These can be precursors of the appearance of cancer.
4. Why Does My Canker Sore Bleed?
Canker sores are not normal bleeding sores. Canker sores occur as a result of necrosis, which means that they are dead or dying tissue.
For this reason, a canker sore does not bleed. If your canker sore is bleeding, it’s something else. Not all mouth sores are canker sores. Some can be fungus or due to blood disorders.
So it’s important to distinguish between canker sores and other oral lesions. Bullous diseases or warts on the tongue can be confused with canker sores.
Stomatitis is not only aphthous. It can also be related to vesicles, and in these cases appear elevations filled with a liquid that may be blood.
IV. Can a Recurrent Canker Sore Cause Cancer?
Recurrent canker sores can be a sign of cancer, not the cause. It is usually a cancer of the mouth. In these cases, they usually occur on, on, or under the tongue.
They are also persistent mouth ulcers that do not disappear easily. That’s why it’s important to see a doctor if you have a mouth ulcer that lasts more than 15 days.
Mouth ulcers can also occur as a result of chemotherapy or radiation therapy. These are fairly common side effects. Chemotherapy weakens the immune system in its job of destroying cancer cells.
Also, it is enough that the patient already has a deficiency of cells in the oral mucosa for mouth ulcers to appear.
Useful Links:
Genome-wide analysis for mouth ulcers identifies associations at immune regulatory loci
New research comes to terms with old ideas about canker sores