A short answer is No. Canker Sores are not contagious. In this post we’re going to talk a little bit about the relationship between canker sores, pregnancy and kissing.
About 20% of the World’s population has had an experience with canker sores. Canker sore is not a serious disease though it should not be ignored. The sores appear in the mouth with varying degree. Below are some tips on canker scores:
What are Canker sores?
Canker sores are annoying irritations in the mouth and are also called aphthous ulcers or alphthous stomatisis.
They are characterized by repeated formation of ulcers inside the mouth of a healthy person. The canker sores occur periodically and they heal completely between attacks.
Studies have shown that a certain T cell causes it after being triggered by external factors. Traumatic ulcers look like canker sores and are caused by hot food, a slip of the toothbrush or rough dentures.
What Might Cause Canker Sores?
An exact cause of canker sores is not known. Certain acidic foods such as lemons, oranges, tomatoes, strawberries, apples and pineapples are known to trigger or worsen canker sores. Sharp teeth and dental appliances such as ill-fitting denture and braces can trigger canker sore.
Studies have shown that complex canker sores are caused by health conditions like impaired immune systems that are caused by nutritional problems such as iron, vitamin B-12, folic acid, and zinc. To a smaller extent, canker sores are caused by gastrointestinal problems such as the inability to digest food. Lack of vitamin C may also trigger canker sores.
Another possible cause includes illnesses where the immune system causes inflammation of the body system or swelling. Systemic erythematosus, Behcet and Crohn diseases are examples of autoimmune disorders.
According to studies, female sex hormones play a part in causing canker sores. Numerous women experience bouts during certain times of their menstrual cycle. Researchers are using hormone therapy successfully to treat women.
Local trauma and emotional stress or injury to the mouth may cause canker sores. These injuries maybe inflicted during teeth brushing with hard brushes, hot foods and sharp metal braces.
Bad habits such as smoking are known to trigger canker sores. Some studies show that toothpastes with sodium lauryl sulfate causes canker sores to some individuals.
Are Canker Sores Contagious Through Kissing?
Numerous studies have shown that canker sores are not contagious. Therefore, the disease cannot be spread through kissing. Canker sores might not spread through kissing but it gives a higher chance of HIV transmission.
Can Pregnancy Cause Canker Sores?
According to the records, canker sores are more common to pregnant women. Some people believe that canker sores are an early sign of pregnancy.
Pregnant women face the same symptoms of canker sores though the degree may vary depending on the individual’s severity.
Although online resources have a lot of information on canker sores, it is best to consult your doctor. Moreover, all cases of canker sores during pregnancy need to be checked, investigated & treated by your doctor. Therefore, canker sore and pregnancy are greatly intertwined.
What Are The Canker Sores’ Symptoms?
One may have simple canker sores if:
- You have painful canker sores all over mouth, inside the cheeks, on the tongue or on the soft palate.
- You have burning sensation before sores appeared.
- The sores are gray or white in color, round and have red edges.
One may have severe canker sores if:
- You have swollen lymph nodes.
- You have a fever.
- You have physical sluggishness.
How to Treat Canker Sores?
Canker sores usually heal without treatment within a week or two and the pain lessens in a few days.
In case the sores are large and painful or persistent, visit your dentist who may prescribe an antimicrobial rinse, prescription to reduce the pain, or a corticosteroid.
Can you Prevent Canker Sores?
Though there is no known cure of canker sores, you may be able to reduce their occurrence by:
- Avoiding irritating the mouth by chewing.
- Avoid certain foods that are known to trigger or worsen canker sores.
- Regular brushing of teeth using a soft-bristled brush immediately after meals to remove any food particle that may trigger canker sore.
- Call your dentist concerning canker sores if you have:
- Sores lasting more than 3 weeks.
- Unusually large sores.
- Difficulty drinking fluids.
- Sores that seem to spread.
- A fever and canker sores.
- Intolerable pain even after taking pain medication and avoiding trigger foods.
Canker sores remain a pain to millions of persons across the globe. However, there may be light at the end of the tunnel due to numerous studies and researches under way which might bring an end to this mystery. All in all, protect yourself from canker sores by all means and also protect the people you love.
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