What's a canker sore?

Question

What's a canker sore, how does one get one, and how does one get rid of one?

Answer 1

There are some answers here that are confusing "cold Sores" caused by herpes and "canker sores" a form of ulcer. They are not the same!

Herpes is a virus that you have forever and there are two forms, sores usually form around the out side of the mouth and it is communicable.

canker sores are inside of the mouth and are not caused by a virus and are not communicable.

this site describes canker sores http://www.medicinenet.com/canker_sores/article.htm

I used to get them when I was a teen, I guess stress and hormone changes.
Also when i had my own business the stress was overwhelming and the sores came out in droves. After i sold it they have almost disappeared, maybe one every couple years.

So we have, stress, diet, heredity, hormones, etc

Answer 2

Canker sores are usually from bad nutrition..a lack of vitamins or even by a stomach infection that has no symptoms other than a canker sore. You can get rid of it by rinsing with a bit of salt and warm water, it will help with any pain. Stay away from acidic foods which will hinder the healing process. You can use a baby teething pain gel too which numbs the pain, they usually have some kind of antiseptic in them too which helps speed healing.

Answer 3

It's a small sore inside your mouth, also known as an "ulcer". You can buy over the counter medication such as Camphophenique to ease the pain. I used to get them a lot and I have no idea, to this day, how they came about. As far as the "herpes" theory...i've never heard that before.

Answer 4

By gargling your mouth with salt water,
the mouth ulcers will heal quickly.
I found the homeremedies at
http://aches.in/mouthulcer.html

Answer 5

It is just a small absess in the mouth.. drink lots of water it will go on its own.

Answer 6

Honestly, it's a form of herpes. They have meds at the local drug store.