Once a canker sore is contracted, the probibility of reccurance is high. Canker sores appear to be caused by stress, trauma, and diet. Stress can be caused by any situation that causes anxiety. Trauma can be caused by cheek biting, or reactions from hot foods or drinks. Some foods can also cause a breakout.
Canker sores are not contagious and typically go away in 8-10 days. The difference in canker sores and cold sores is that canker sores erupt inside the mouth, while cold sores erupt outside the mouth. Zilactin and Zilactin-B are good over the counter medications for the treatment of canker sores.
Cold sores are caused by a virus called herpes simplex I. This is not the same virus that that causes genital herpes (herpes simplex II). Unlike canker sores, cold sores are contagious! Although the virus remains dormant in some people, the virus stays in the person's body once they are affected. With most people, the outbreaks will recur with stess, fever, illness, sunlight, fatigue, and menstruation.
Many times, about a day before the sore erupts, one can feel a tingling or burning sensation at the location of the outbreak. Next, there may be reddening and swelling of the area. Then the sore will erupt. The sore or sores are usually painful. In the following few days, the sores will begin to seep fluid and crack open. After this stage, the sore begins to heal by drying up and forming scabs. Once the scabs fall off, the outbreak has ran its cycle. Products that penetrate and relieve burning (such as Zilactin-L) can be used on cold sores. Check with your Dentist about a prescription medication that may work well for you. There are some great ones out there!
Canker sores can be minimized by avoiding stressful situations and avoiding certain foods such as nuts, chocolates, and acidic juices or certain fruits (eg. tomatoes, oranges, pineapples).
Cold sores can be minimized by avoiding stressful situtions, excessive sunlight, and by avoiding contact (kissing, shaking hands) with someone that has a cold sore.
For any other mouth sores, such as those caused by braces or dentures, see you dentist. An adjustment may allieviate the problem.