Frequent Canker sores: what's behind their appearance?

A mouth ulcer, which causes increased salivation, alters the way we chew and, in some cases, prevents us from pronouncing syllables correctly. Let's take a look at the cause of its appearance.

A mouth ulcer is an oval or round ulcer measuring between 1 mm and 1 cm. Often found on the cheeks (inside the mouth), this lesion causes pain, particularly when brushing teeth and chewing.

When does this painful lesion disappear?

"Healing is spontaneous: the canker sore loses its regularity, its boundaries become imprecise, and healing occurs in 10 to 15 days without scarring," states the French Health Insurance website. When canker sores occur too frequently in some individuals, experts refer to them as "recurrent oral aphthosis" (RAB), although the exact cause of the phenomenon remains unknown.

Predisposing factors

However, predisposing factors should be noted:

• Trauma: Brushing teeth too roughly can build up the canker sore; Genetics: Specialist Mélanie Peenaert (from the University of Lille 2) explains that "the risk of developing ABR is increased if both parents are affected";
• Stress: During periods of intense stress, cortisol levels increase, which can lead to repeated canker sores;
• Food: Hypersensitivity to dried fruits, grapes, tomatoes, and even hard cheeses can also explain the appearance of canker sores;
• Fatigue: Lack of sleep impacts the immune system and weakens it, creating a fertile breeding ground for canker sores;
• Medications: The occurrence of canker sores can also be explained by the use of certain nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, bisphosphonates, beta-blockers, or even cancer treatments;
• Nutritional deficiencies: a lack of iron, vitamins B1, B2, B6, B12, folate, and even zinc can cause canker sores;
• Menstrual cycle: According to Mélanie Peenaert, in some women, recurring canker sores may be explained by "low estrogen production during the premenstrual phase and low keratinization of the oral mucosa, which can make it more susceptible to trauma."

If canker sores become too frequent and interfere with your daily comfort, we always recommend consulting your doctor.

(MH with Raphaël Liset - Source : - Illustration : © Unsplash)