Do Canker Sores Always Go Away on Their Own?

If you're suffering from a canker sore, you can't wait for it to go away. Canker sores are small, shallow ulcers that develop in the soft tissues of the mouth that can make both eating and talking very painful. For many people, occasional canker sores are an unpleasant reality, one that simply has to be tolerated until it goes away on its own. But canker sores can range greatly in severity and the amount of pain they cause. If a canker sore is large, extremely painful or long-lasting, it is only natural to wonder how long it will last. Do canker sores always go away on their own?

Before answering this question, it is important to understand what causes canker sores in the first place. Although the exact cause of a specific outbreak may be difficult to determine, several things are known to contribute to canker sore outbreaks. Among the causes of canker sores are stress, immune system disorders, vitamin deficiencies, acidic foods and certain diseases. When a canker sore first appears, it is important to do everything you can to encourage the sore to heal, such as getting plenty of rest and avoiding acidic foods, which can make the ulcerous canker sore worse.

The majority of canker sores do go away on their own, regardless of their original cause, but occasionally canker sores do require medical intervention. How do you know when to call you doctor and when to wait it out? If your canker sore has not healed, and it has been more than three weeks, then it is a good idea to contact your doctor or dentist. You should also contact your doctor if your canker sores are large, recurring or accompanied by a high fever. It is also important to let your doctor know if the pain associated with the canker sore is making it very difficult to eat or speak.

Fortunately, there are several treatments your doctor can prescribe to reduce canker sore pain and speed the healing process. Topical gels and antibacterial mouth rinses can reduce the risk of further problems and numb the area of the canker sore. Your doctor may also prescribe a daily vitamin supplement to rule out vitamin deficiency as a cause of your canker sore outbreaks. With your doctor's help and advice, even the worst canker sores can be treated successfully.