Mouth Sores

Canker Sores

Canker sores are small ulcers with a creamy white center and a red border, always appearing inside the mouth. These sores can be painful but are not contagious. Typically, they heal within one to two weeks. You might find relief using prescription medications or over-the-counter topical treatments designed to reduce discomfort.

Cold Sores

Commonly called fever blisters, cold sores are fluid-filled blisters that form on the lips or around the mouth. Caused by the herpes simplex virus, cold sores are contagious and often painful. Fever, sun exposure, trauma, hormonal shifts, or emotional stress can trigger outbreaks.

Though no cure exists, prescription ointments can help ease pain and speed healing. It’s also important to wash your hands frequently and avoid sharing personal items to prevent spreading the infection.

Candidiasis

Also known as oral thrush, candidiasis is a fungal infection causing painful red and cream-colored patches on moist areas inside the mouth. It can affect swallowing and taste. This condition is frequently seen in denture wearers, people with weakened immune systems, or those who have recently taken antibiotics that disrupt normal mouth bacteria. Treatment includes antifungal creams and saliva substitutes.

White Patches

Chronic irritation from cheek chewing, dentures, or braces can lead to benign white patches inside the mouth. The best approach is to remove or reduce the irritation, allowing the tissue to heal naturally.

Leukoplakias

Leukoplakias are thick white lesions commonly found beneath or around the tongue, cheeks, or gums. These sores are usually painless but have the potential to become cancerous over time. Tobacco users are especially at risk. A biopsy may be necessary to confirm diagnosis.

Oral Cancer

Oral cancers can appear as red or white patches or small painless ulcers that resemble canker sores. They most often develop on the tongue or the floor of the mouth but can also affect the tonsils, adenoids, uvula, hard palate, cheek lining, gums, teeth, lips, the area behind wisdom teeth, and salivary glands. Some lesions are benign, others precancerous or malignant.

Common precancerous lesions include:

• Leukoplakias: Thick white patches often linked to tobacco use.
• Erythroplakias: Red, raised areas with a higher chance of malignancy than leukoplakias.

A biopsy is usually required for an accurate diagnosis. Squamous cell carcinoma is the most typical oral cancer, with lymphoma and salivary gland cancers less common. Most oral cancers occur in people aged 45 and older. When oral cancers spread, they usually metastasize to lymph nodes in the neck.

If you notice a mouth sore that does not heal, please contact The Center for Sinus, Allergy, & Sleep Wellness in Boynton Beach, FL to schedule an appointment with one of our skilled otolaryngologists. Early evaluation is key to effective treatment.