What Causes Canker Sores?

Canker Sore Tongue

Canker Sore Tongue: Some Questions

The causes of canker sore tongue are a laundry list longer than any housewife would ever want. Everything from hormonal shifts for women during menstruation to food allergies/sensitivities to a faulty immune system may be responsible for that painful sore in your mouth. How can you know which one will bring you canker sore relief? Here are a few questions to ask:

How big is your canker sore(s)? Sores bigger than a few millimeters across may be indicative of a larger problem, and may require professional attention.
How often do you get canker sores in a year? For most people, 3 to 4 times a year is normal. If you are getting them significantly more often, it may be time to see what your doctor can do to help.
How long does it take for the canker sore to heal? Sores that take longer than 14 days to heal are definitely abnormal. At the very least, a biopsy is necessary because of the possiblity of oral cancer.
Where are the sores? Canker sores are located inside the mouth, while other infections (cold sores, for example) occur outside.
Is the pain so bad that you can’t eat normally? Although canker sores are always painful, there are a number of medical canker sore treatment methods available for severe cases.
Do you have a fever? If so, you should check with your doctor as soon as possible, since canker sores aren’t usually accompanied by a fever.

If your answer to all of the above questions are favorable, you can rest easy. Your canker sore tongue should heal all by itself within a week or two.