Canker sores are small, painful ulcers that can develop inside the mouth. They are caused by a variety of factors, including stress, hormonal changes, and certain foods. While canker sores are not contagious, they can be very uncomfortable.
The average canker sore takes about 10-14 days to heal. However, the healing time can vary from person to person. Some canker sores may heal within a few days, while others may take several weeks to disappear.
The healing time of canker sores can be affected by a number of factors, including:
- The size of the canker sore: Larger canker sores typically take longer to heal than smaller sores.
- The location of the canker sore: Canker sores that are located on the tongue or the inside of the cheek tend to heal more quickly than sores that are located on the gums or the roof of the mouth.
- The person’s overall health: People who are generally healthy tend to have faster healing times than people who have compromised immune systems.
- The person’s diet: Eating a healthy diet that is rich in vitamins and minerals can help to speed up the healing process.
There are a number of things you can do to speed up the healing time of canker sores, including:
- Rinse your mouth with salt water: Rinsing your mouth with salt water several times a day can help to reduce pain and inflammation.
- Apply a topical ointment: There are a number of over-the-counter ointments that can help to treat canker sores. These ointments typically contain ingredients such as benzocaine or lidocaine, which can help to numb the pain.
- Take pain relievers: If canker sores are causing you significant pain, you may want to take over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen.
- Avoid spicy or acidic foods: Spicy or acidic foods can irritate canker sores and make them more painful.
- Eat a healthy diet: Eating a healthy diet that is rich in vitamins and minerals can help to speed up the healing process.
In most cases, canker sores will heal on their own within a few weeks. However, there are some cases when you should see a doctor. These include:
- If you have a canker sore that is larger than 1 cm in diameter
- If you have a canker sore that is not healing after two weeks
- If you have multiple canker sores
- If you have canker sores that are accompanied by fever, headache, or other symptoms
Canker sores are a common problem, but they are usually not serious. However, there are some cases when canker sores can be a sign of a more serious underlying condition. If you have any concerns about your canker sores, be sure to see a doctor.
Table 1: Average Healing Times for Canker Sores
| Size of Canker Sore | Average Healing Time |
|---|---|
| Small (less than 1 cm in diameter) | 10-14 days |
| Medium (1-2 cm in diameter) | 14-21 days |
| Large (greater than 2 cm in diameter) | 21-28 days |
Table 2: Factors That Affect Healing Time for Canker Sores
| Factor | Effect on Healing Time |
|---|---|
| Size of canker sore | Larger canker sores take longer to heal. |
| Location of canker sore | Canker sores on the tongue or inside of the cheek heal more quickly than sores on the gums or roof of the mouth. |
| Overall health | People who are generally healthy have faster healing times than people with compromised immune systems. |
| Diet | Eating a healthy diet that is rich in vitamins and minerals can help to speed up the healing process. |
Table 3: How to Speed Up Healing Time for Canker Sores
| Tip | How It Works |
|---|---|
| Rinse your mouth with salt water | Salt water helps to reduce pain and inflammation. |
| Apply a topical ointment | Ointments containing benzocaine or lidocaine can help to numb the pain. |
| Take pain relievers | Over-the-counter pain relievers can help to reduce pain. |
| Avoid spicy or acidic foods | Spicy or acidic foods can irritate canker sores and make them more painful. |
| Eat a healthy diet | Eating a healthy diet that is rich in vitamins and minerals can help to speed up the healing process. |
Table 4: When to See a Doctor About Canker Sores
| Symptom | When to See a Doctor |
|---|---|
| Canker sore is larger than 1 cm in diameter | Yes |
| Canker sore is not healing after two weeks | Yes |
| Multiple canker sores | Yes |
| Canker sores are accompanied by fever, headache, or other symptoms | Yes |
