Q & A for Recurrent Aphthous Stomatitis

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT CANKER SORES

Q: Is the condition contagious? Did I catch it and can I give it to anyone else?
A: No. This condition is not like herpes and cannot be transmitted, even if you have open sores.

Q: How can I tell the difference?
A: The location is a good clue. Your doctor may recommend performing culture testing or a biopsy to be certain.

Q: Then what causes canker sores?
A: No one really knows, but it is thought to be caused by an immune system malfunction that causes white blood cells to temporarily attack the mucosal cells lining the mouth. Sometimes they are a form of allergic reaction to food ingredients or components of toothpastes or mouthwash. Canker sores can also be associated with some systemic conditions such a Crohn’s disease and nutritional deficiencies.

Q: How can I tell if my canker sores are related to an allergy or systemic condition?
A: Your doctor can often make this diagnosis after carefully assessing your medical history. Sometimes simple blood tests may be required to see if you have a nutritional deficiency, or your doctor may suggest allergy testing.

Q: Is there a cure for canker sores?
A: Not yet. However, therapies are available to decrease pain, shorten the time of the ulcers, and even reduce how often they occur. These range from creams applied to the sores to stronger systemic medications.

Q: Can anything prevent them?
A: The best way to attempt preventing them is to keep an ulcer diary. By writing down when you have outbreaks of canker sores, you may find that there are connections between your diet, toothpaste, or lifestyle. You should share this information with your doctor as it may help him or her develop a more effective treatment strategy.

Q: What about “canker sore toothpastes”?
A: These lack a detergent known as SLS (sodium lauryl sulfate). In some patients, using an SLS free toothpaste reduces the frequency of outbreaks.

Q: When should I talk to my dentist about my Canker Sores?
A: If you experience more than three canker sore outbreaks per month, if you are never without an ulcer, or if you have any symptoms listed in this sheet or feel that there could be other factors connected to your canker sores

Q: I see many canker sore medicines in the store. Is one better than the other?
A: While there are numerous products marketed to treat canker sores, there is no perfect product and there are few well designed trials comparing the efficacy of these products against each other. A product that works well for you may not work well for someone else. You should advise your dentist of any products you have used or are currently using to treat your canker sores.