Canker Sore on Gums: How To Address This Painful Case

Canker sore on gums, also called aphthous ulcers, are small, painful sores that appear at the base of your gums. These lesions only happen inside the mouth and are the most common type of mouth ulcers. They also develop on the lining of cheeks, under the tongue, and inside lips. 

Canker sores can happen to anyone, at any age. Most are usually harmless and would go away on their own in a week or two. Some also experience them over and over again. They can be painful but are not contagious. Either way, you’ll want to get rid of them as soon as possible. Read on to know about these pesky sores, how to treat them, and if there are ways to minimize their occurrence. 

Signs and Symptoms 

Canker sore on gums usually appears with a white or yellow center, and a red, inflamed border. Other signs and symptoms you should look out for include: 

• Tingling or burning sensation inside the mouth
• Small round or oval shallow sores 
• Pain when you chew or speak 

A typical canker sore measures to about a few millimeters. But if the spots are larger—about one to three centimeters—they are major canker sores. These take more time healing and can leave scarring.

Herpetiform canker sores are pinhead-sized sores that appear in clusters. Sometimes, the small spots merge together to form one large ulcer. 

Causes and Risks

Up to this day, no one knows the exact cause of canker sore on gums. Some believe it to be hereditary and can run within families. Experts, however, think that these sores can be influenced by triggers and those with certain diseases are more likely to get them. 

Some possible cancer sore triggers include: 

• Stress or injury 
• Weakened immune system
• Hormonal changes 
• Vitamin or mineral deficiency 
• Food allergy 
• Trauma to the gums (during brushing teeth, eating hard food)

Some experts also believe that canker sore on gums can be obtained because of certain conditions and diseases like: 

Diagnosis 

Since canker sore on gums are usually normal and harmless, you should be able to tell on your own even without getting diagnostic tests. 

However, if it hasn’t healed after two weeks or the inflammation is still severe, it’s best to see a doctor or dentist. They will examine the lining of your mouth and ask you about the food you ate, because it might be an allergic reaction, or if it underwent pressure or stress lately. 

There are also cases in which unhealed sores indicate an underlying condition. If so, your doctor will have to perform a swab test, blood test, extract tissue sample, or organ examination. 

Treatment and Prevention 

Unless it’s a severe case, a canker sore on gums usually goes away on its own. You may use anti-inflammatory gels and creams, as well as tablets to relieve the pain. 

While a canker sore on gums appears from time to time, there are preventative measures you can do to minimize their frequency: 

Key Takeaways 

Having canker sore on gums is not a reason to panic. Everyone experiences them at least once in their lives—most even have them from time to time.

While at times painful, these sores are usually harmless and would heal on their own within a couple of days. But if you notice that it keeps on getting worse, visit your doctor immediately. You might have another condition after all, like a viral infection. This is especially true and common for  younger children.

Unless it’s a severe case, treating them only requires pain-relieving gels and creams. Adopt good oral hygiene habits and always eat healthy to reduce frequency of canker sore on gums. 

Learn more about Gum Diseases here.