Causes and Treatments for Canker Sores, Along with Prevention Tips
The presence of canker sores or mouth ulcers is very common, with a 25% prevalence worldwide.[1] The risk of death from this condition is indeed very low, especially if there are no severe complications. However, that does not mean you should leave it untreated.
Actually, this condition can heal on its own. It is just that you may need to wait for weeks. This is clearly uncomfortable because the sores can cause pain and difficulty eating.
Therefore, you need to know the symptoms of canker sores, their triggers, and how to treat them. Additionally, learn about all the facts and myths behind this oral and gum disease, as well as tips to prevent them from recurring!
Symptoms of Canker Sores

From the explanation above, you can conclude that a canker sore is a lesion that appears in the oral cavity. You may also know this condition by the name mouth ulcer. The sores can appear on the cheeks, lips, tongue, and gums. However, if these sores appear near the throat area, you need to see a doctor immediately.
There are several symptoms of canker sores that you can recognize, namely:
- They are white, red, yellow, or gray in color.
- The affected area is swollen.
- There can be more than one, though they usually appear in close proximity to each other.
- They feel painful.
Triggers for Canker Sores

Besides the symptoms, you also need to know what causes canker sores. As it turns out, many things can cause them to appear in your oral cavity. Here is the list!
1. Injury
The first and most common cause of canker sores is injury. The reasons vary, ranging from accidentally biting your cheek or tongue, ill-fitting dentures or braces, to scratches from hard foods. All of these can create wounds, just like any other injury.
2. Stress and Excessive Anxiety
As it turns out, stress and excessive anxiety are also common causes of canker sores. These psychological disturbances can even be the reason why canker sores keep recurring.
This condition occurs because stress and anxiety can increase salivary cortisol, which affects immunological regulation functions in the mouth. Consequently, the quantity and activity of leukocytes increase.
This increased activity can send signals to the brain to produce certain hormones in the body. However, the reaction of these hormones has different effects and can ultimately cause illness. This includes canker sores in the oral cavity.[2]
3. Viral Infection
Compared to other triggers for canker sores, occurrences due to viral infections are less common. However, this does not mean the cases do not exist at all.
Often, canker sores arise due to certain medical conditions, such as chickenpox or hand, foot, and mouth disease. All these diseases are caused by viral attacks.
4. Vitamin and Mineral Deficiency
Canker sores can also appear due to vitamin deficiencies, specifically vitamin B12 and vitamin C. Besides a lack of vitamin intake, the appearance of sores in the oral cavity can also be a sign of iron deficiency.[3]
5. Symptoms of Serious Illness
If your mouth suddenly has many canker sores, you need to be more vigilant, as it could be a sign of a serious illness. In fact, there is more than one disease that causes canker sores to appear in the oral cavity, some of which include:
- Crohn's disease, a condition that causes inflammation in the digestive system.
- Celiac disease, a digestive disorder that usually occurs in people who are allergic to gluten.
- Reactive arthritis, inflammation caused by an infection.
Additionally, canker sores can also appear when you have a disease related to the immune system, such as lupus. The appearance of these mouth ulcers can also be an early sign of HIV infection.[4]
How to Treat Canker Sores

After knowing what triggers canker sores, it is time to learn how to manage them. The easiest way is to take medication for canker sores, such as ibuprofen or nicorandil-type drugs. Additionally, several topical treatments can treat canker sores, such as ointments, gels, and mouthwashes.
However, it is better to consume or use these medications under a doctor's prescription for greater safety.
How to Prevent Canker Sores from Recurring

Once they have healed, you need to ensure that the canker sores do not return. Here are some tips to prevent them!
- Use a soft toothbrush.
- Be careful when eating hard foods.
- Reduce stress and anxiety.
- Consume more foods that contain vitamins and iron.
Additionally, you can drink Alang Sari Plus from Sido Muncul so that canker sores do not return. You can start drinking it when you feel symptoms of heatiness so that the canker sores do not end up appearing in your oral cavity.
This is because the vitamin C content in this drink can help prevent canker sores. Furthermore, it also contains cogon grass and green jelly, which have been trusted for centuries to treat various mouth and throat ailments. There are many flavor options, and they are definitely delicious!