Daniels TE, Jordan RC. Diseases of the mouth and salivary glands. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 397. Show
Dhar V. Common lesions of the oral soft tissues. In: Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, Shah SS, Tasker RC, Wilson KM, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 21st ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 341. Klatt EC. Head and neck. In: Kumar V, Abbas AK, Aster JC, eds. Robbins and Cotran Atlas of Pathology. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 6. Last reviewed on: 6/6/2021 Reviewed by: Josef Shargorodsky, MD, MPH, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. Canker sores occur singly or in clusters on the inside surfaces of your cheeks or lips, on or under your tongue, at the base of your gums, or on your soft palate. They usually have a white or yellow center and a red border and can be extremely painful. Canker sores, also called aphthous ulcers, are small, shallow lesions that develop on the soft tissues in your mouth or at the base of your gums. Unlike cold sores, canker sores don't occur on the surface of your lips and they aren't contagious. They can be painful, however, and can make eating and talking difficult. Most canker sores go away on their own in a week or two. Check with your doctor or dentist if you have unusually large or painful canker sores or canker sores that don't seem to heal. Products & Services
SymptomsMost canker sores are round or oval with a white or yellow center and a red border. They form inside your mouth — on or under your tongue, inside your cheeks or lips, at the base of your gums, or on your soft palate. You might notice a tingling or burning sensation a day or two before the sores actually appear. There are several types of canker sores, including minor, major and herpetiform sores. Minor canker soresMinor canker sores are the most common and:
Major canker soresMajor canker sores are less common and:
Herpetiform canker soresHerpetiform canker sores are uncommon and usually develop later in life, but they're not caused by herpes virus infection. These canker sores:
When to see a doctorConsult your doctor if you experience:
See your dentist if you have sharp tooth surfaces or dental appliances that seem to trigger the sores. Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic There is a problem with information submitted for this request. Review/update the information highlighted below and resubmit the form. Sign up for free, and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips and current health topics, like COVID-19, plus expertise on managing health. Email ErrorEmail field is required ErrorInclude a valid email address To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information, and understand which information is beneficial, we may combine your email and website usage information with other information we have about you. If you are a Mayo Clinic patient, this could include protected health information. If we combine this information with your protected health information, we will treat all of that information as protected health information and will only use or disclose that information as set forth in our notice of privacy practices. You may opt-out of email communications at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link in the e-mail. Canker sores are a type of mouth sore. They’re not contagious, but they can be irritating and painful. Canker sore causes include stress, acidic foods and minor injuries to the inside of your mouth. Treatments include over-the-counter or prescription gels, ointments and rinses. Even without treatment, canker sores usually go away within two weeks.
OverviewCanker sores show up inside the mouth on the lower lip, unlike cold sores.What are canker sores?Canker sores — or aphthous ulcers — are small, shallow ulcers that occur in the lining of your mouth. A canker sore starts as a white or yellowish mouth sore with a red border. They’re usually very small (less than 1 millimeter) but may grow to 1/2 inch to 1 inch in diameter. You can get canker sores on your tongue, gums, roof of your mouth, inside of your lip or under your tongue. They can be painful and often make eating and talking uncomfortable. There are two types of canker sores:
Are canker sores an STI?No. Canker sores aren’t herpes or any other type of sexually transmitted infection (STI). In fact, they’re not contagious at all. So, you can’t spread them through kissing or sexual contact. Canker sore vs. cold sore: Are they the same thing?No. Although these sores are often confused for each other, they’re not the same. Cold sores — sometimes called fever blisters — are caused by herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) or type 2 (HSV-2). Because cold sores are caused by viruses, they’re highly contagious and can spread through close personal contact, such as kissing or oral sex. Cold sores are fluid-filled blisters, and they can appear in clusters on your mouth or genitals. Canker sores, on the other hand, aren’t caused by an infection and aren’t contagious. Who gets canker sores?Anybody can develop canker sores. But they’re most common in teens and people in their 20s. Women and people assigned female at birth (AFAB) are more likely than men and people assigned male at birth (AMAB) to get canker sores. Experts believe this could be due to hormonal changes. How common is this condition?Canker sores are fairly common. Approximately 20% of the U.S. population has had a canker sore at least once in their lifetime. Symptoms and CausesWhat are the symptoms of canker sores?Common canker sore symptoms include:
In severe cases, you may also experience:
What causes canker sores?Experts aren’t exactly sure why some people are more likely to get canker sores. But they’ve discovered many factors that can trigger the development of these ulcers, including:
Complex canker sores may develop in people with immune system conditions, including:
Canker sores may also be linked to nutritional deficiencies in vitamin B-12, zinc, folic acid or iron. Are canker sores contagious?No. Canker sores aren’t contagious because they’re not caused by an infection. Diagnosis and TestsHow are canker sores diagnosed?Your healthcare provider can diagnose canker sores during a physical exam. They might also recommend a blood test to see if you have a vitamin deficiency or another condition that’s causing the ulcers. Management and TreatmentHow do you heal a canker sore fast?Canker sore treatment may include over-the-counter or prescription products to ease your symptoms. Your healthcare provider may recommend one or more of these canker sore remedies:
If you have canker sores caused by nutritional deficiencies, your healthcare provider may recommend certain vitamins or supplements. For severe canker sores, your healthcare provider may recommend cauterization (burning the affected tissue). This can sterilize the area, reduce pain and speed up healing. How long do canker sores last?Canker sore pain usually improves in a few days and the ulcers typically heal within two weeks, even without treatment. If you have a canker sore that lasts for more than two weeks, schedule an appointment with your healthcare provider. PreventionCan I prevent canker sores?There’s no surefire way to prevent canker sores. But there are several things you can do to reduce your risk:
Try stress reduction techniques, such as mindfulness and meditation. Outlook / PrognosisWhat can I expect if I have a canker sore?If you develop a canker sore, there are several over-the-counter treatments that can manage your symptoms, including rinses and topical ointments. If you have canker sores that are unusually large, or if your symptoms interfere with your daily life, schedule a visit with your healthcare provider. Living WithWhen should I see my healthcare provider?You should call your healthcare provider if you have canker sores that:
What questions should I ask my healthcare provider?If you’ve scheduled an appointment with your healthcare provider, here are some questions you may want to ask:
A note from Cleveland Clinic Canker sores can be irritating, and they’re certainly inconvenient, but they’re not dangerous. Unlike cold sores, canker sores aren’t caused by infections and can’t be spread from person to person. Most people find relief by using over-the-counter canker sore treatments. But if your symptoms don’t improve after trying these products, you should talk to your healthcare provider. They can tell you how to get rid of canker sores so you can get back to normal life. Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Print Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 06/09/2022. References
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Facebook Twitter YouTube Instagram LinkedIn Pinterest Snapchat ActionsAppointments & AccessAccepted InsuranceEvents CalendarFinancial AssistanceGive to Cleveland ClinicPay Your Bill OnlineRefer a PatientPhone DirectoryVirtual Second OpinionsVirtual VisitsBlog, News & AppsConsult QDHealth EssentialsNewsroomMyClevelandClinicMyChartAbout Cleveland Clinic100 Years of Cleveland ClinicAbout UsLocationsQuality & Patient SafetyOffice of Diversity & InclusionPatient ExperienceResearch & InnovationsCommunity CommitmentCareersFor EmployeesResources for Medical ProfessionalsSite Information & PoliciesSend Us FeedbackSite MapAbout this WebsiteCopyright, Reprint & LicensingWebsite Terms of UsePrivacy PolicyNotice of Privacy PracticesNon-Discrimination Notice9500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44195 | 800.223.2273 | © 2023 Cleveland Clinic. All Rights Reserved. What do healing canker sores look like?As this epithelialization process takes place, the original yellow-white color of the sore will take on a grey-white appearance.
Do canker sores hurt more when healing?Canker sores can be quite painful within the first few days. Thankfully, the pain lessens during the healing process, which can take about two weeks for the minor or herpiteform types.
Is my canker sore going away?Canker sores are not contagious. The pain from your canker sore should decrease in 7 to 10 days, and it should heal completely in 1 to 3 weeks. In most cases, a canker sore will go away by itself. Home treatment can ease pain and discomfort.
What are the stages of a canker sore?Canker sores move through three stages as they progress:. Prodromal stage, days 1-3: At the beginning of this period, the canker sore may or may not be visible. ... . Ulcer stage, days 3-6: After the initial formation of the sore, it will grow to its full size. ... . Healing stage, days 6-14: During this period, healing occurs.. |