Have you been having recurring canker sores and have thought to yourself, why do I keep getting canker sores? As troublesome as these can be, know that you are not alone. Anyone is susceptible to getting them, and several causes are thought to bring them on. There is no one explanation for why they happen, but in this article, we will explore everything you need to know about canker sores, including what causes them, how to care for them, and what to expect when you get one.

Canker sores form on the inside of the mouth, on the gums, tongue, or lip. They range in size and typically present as round or oval white shallow sore, sometimes yellow pigment with a red border. Canker sores are considered ulcers and will usually feel tingling before presenting themselves. Sometimes, they can be painful, depending on the size, location, and how much you mess with them. Anyone can get a canker sore, but they mainly appear between the ages of 10 and 20 and will continue throughout life, depending on the cause.

Why Do I Keep Getting Canker Sores?

There are numerous reasons a person can keep getting a canker sore, which isn’t the same reason for everyone. For instance, getting one from canker sore vitamin deficiency is extremely common. Those lacking vitamin B12 can experience canker sores more often than those with a vitamin-rich diet. Diet can play a significant role in their formation, but it isn’t always the primary factor. But the fact remains that most want to know how canker sores happen so that they may avoid getting them in the future.

Are you a nervous person? Do you have a ton of stress in your life? Sometimes, individuals will get canker sores from chewing on the inside of their lips. This is considered an injury to the fleshy tissue and will result in an ulcer or canker sore. For those who have been habitually bitter of their inner lip, it can be difficult to stop. The good news for these canker sores is that they will go away within a few weeks if you leave them alone.

The injury that causes canker sores can happen for reasons other than you may have bitten your lip. Dental treatments can cause them to form because of damage to the tissue from a slip of an instrument or at the gum line during a cleaning. This can be even more prevalent when combined with someone lacking in vitamins or having a weak immune system. Brushing too aggressively, as well as having braces, can make canker sores appear more frequently.

Returning to diet, nutritional deficiencies have also been known to trigger a canker sore or the formation of several. Folic acid, iron, and zinc are the primary factors to look out for, and consider adding foods rich in these vitamins and minerals. Good food sources include:

  • Healthy dark green vegetables
  • Spinach
  • Lean Meat
  • Legumes

Simply including a few changes to your diet can make a huge difference in how often you get canker sores, but reducing stress can also help.

Those with a weak immune system may also notice a somewhat regular appearance of these ulcers. Medications or illnesses that affect the immune system may increase the body’s response, generating more canker sores than those that have a healthy immune system.

Where Do Canker Sores Come From?

It is debatable about where canker sores come from. As mentioned above, nutritional deficiencies, injury, and poor immune systems are the leading causes of their formation. But canker sores do have multiple varieties. There are three types a person can get: minor, major, and Herpetiform canker sores. While a herpetiform may sound like the Herpes Simplex Virus causes it, it is not. But it is much different from the other two you could get, and it is far less common. These will look entirely different than minor or major canker sores. Herpetiform canker sores can range from 10-100 ulcers the size of a pinpoint. They are much smaller and heal independently within one to two weeks.

But what is the difference between significant and minor canker sores?

Minor Canker Sores
  • Small
  • Oval-shaped, with clear edges
  • It takes one week to heal without scarring
Major Canker Sores
  • Larger and deeper than minor
  • Defined border
  • Painful
  • It could take up to 6 weeks to heal
  • Extensive scarring can result

Why Do I Get So Many Canker Sores?

If you have a diet lacking in nutritionally rich food or have a compromised immune system, these could be the major factors as to why canker sores appear so frequently. For those who injure their lip due to biting, it could be just a nervous tick and can resolve when stress is minimized. Unlike other mouth sores like Herpes or Impetigo, canker sores are not contagious and won’t spread throughout your mouth or pass to anyone else. If you have a major canker sore and are experiencing pain with it, using an over-the-counter pain reliever may help. You can also use an oral anesthetic to help numb the area if the pain is too severe.

Tips For Avoiding Canker Sores

While the root cause of why they appear has yet to be determined, we know that diet, injury, and the immune system all play a role in why they appear. But if you are like most people who experience this annoying problem with the mouth, you want to know, “Why do I keep getting canker sores, and can they be stopped?” Aside from changing your diet, toning down stress, and consulting with your doctor, there isn’t much you can do to prevent them.

However, if you have major canker sores or ones that have a great deal of pain and are not healing, seeing your doctor for treatment may be the best solution. If you’re in Dublin, CA, and looking for professional advice, consider consulting with a dentist in Dublin, CA. While canker sores are annoying, they typically recover independently in about a week or two and aren’t cause for concern.