Medical Authors: Siamak Nabili, MD, MPH, and Dennis Lee, MD
Medical Editor: William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR
Canker sores are small ulcer craters in the lining of the mouth that are frequently painful and sensitive. Canker sores are very common. About 20% of the population (one out of five people) have canker sores at any one time. Canker sores are also medically known as aphthous ulcers or aphthous stomatitis.
Women are slightly more likely than men to have recurrent canker sores. It can occur at any age, but it is more commonly seen in teenagers. Genetic studies show that susceptibility to recurrent outbreaks of the sores is inherited in some patients. This partially explains why family members often share the condition.
Canker sores are generally classified into three groups based on size.
Canker sores are usually found on the movable parts of the mouth, such as the tongue or the inside lining of the lips and cheeks, and at the base of the gums. The ulcers begin as small oval or round reddish swellings that usually burst within a day. The ruptured sores are covered by a thin white or yellow membrane and edged by a red halo. Generally, the sores heal within two weeks without scarring. Fever is rare, and the sores are rarely associated with other diseases. Usually, a person has only one or a few canker sores at a time.
Most people experience their first bout with canker sores between the ages of 10 and 20. Children as young as 2 years old, however, can develop the condition. The frequency of canker sore recurrences varies considerably. Some people have only one or two episodes a year, while others may have a continuous series of canker sores.
Please describe what treatments have been effective for your canker sores.
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