Should You See a Doctor When You Have Canker Sores?

Canker sores are generally painful sores that appear inside the mouth (this includes inside the lips, along the gums, even on your tongue). Canker sores are not actually contagious, and in most cases, they're not serious, so they're really not something you need to see a doctor about.

Canker sores tend to be seen more frequently in women and young people. Lots of different things can cause a person to get canker sores including heredity, hormonal cycles, stress and poor nutrition. Canker sores can also be a warning sign of certain illnesses that effect nutritional absorption, such as Celiac disease.

If your canker sores are so large or painful it makes eating and drinking difficult, definitely see your doctor. There are several prescription medications available for canker sores, and in severe cases, these are more effective than trying to combat the problem with over the counter painkillers. Additionally, your doctor can investigate whether your canker sores are indicative of a larger problem.

If you get canker sores frequently, but they are not especially painful or troublesome to you, they're worth mentioning when you visit your doctor, but there's really no need to make a separate appointment just to address the issue. Your doctor may give you some advice on treating them or just recommend you keep track of when you're affected by them to determine frequency or pattern (in women they're often linked to the menstrual cycle), but in most cases, they're not going to raise a lot of investigation.

However, if you have any other unresolved medical concerns, it's worth working with your doctor to see if canker sores are a piece of the puzzle. I've always suffered from them with some frequency. After I got diagnosed with Celiac disease and stopped consuming gluten (the only treatment for the auto-immune disorder), I went from monthly occurrences to only one a year. Addressing my Celiac disease meant my nutritional absorption improved and that I wasn't exposing my body to something it has can't tolerate. For me, canker sores were a minor inconvenience, but one that was a big clue.

If you get canker sores, the most important thing to do is not worry! They may be annoying, but they are perfectly ordinary. Discussing them with your doctor makes sense, but for most people, canker sores don't need to merit a special trip.