Canker sores are small and shallow lesions that appear in the mouth. They might also appear at the base of the gums. Canker sores are also called as aphthous ulcers. They are open, painful sores that might appear white or reddish in color. They are accompanied with inflamed soft tissue and are round or oval in shape. They can appear under the tongue, inside the lips, inside the cheeks, and inside the mucus membranes of the lips. They might even cause swollen lymph nodes. Canker sores might occur due to a variety of causes. They occur due to anxiety, stress, food allergies, and use of certain medications, viral infections, vitamin deficiencies, hormonal fluctuations, and others. They are even known to be caused due to fungal infections like oral thrush. Canker sores generally take around seven to ten days to resolve with the help of mouth rinses, vitamin pills, antibiotics, and dental hygiene. However, recurrent canker sores demand medical attention. People with diabetes have oral manifestations in the form of reduced salivary production. This is witnessed in the form of dry mouth. People with diabetes are prone to tooth decay, periodontal diseases, oral fungal infections, and canker sores. Also, the nerves of the mouth in some people with diabetes are damaged due to a condition called burning mouth syndrome. This leads to a constant scalding sensation in the mouth, lips, and cheeks. This is accompanied by dryness of the mouth, numbness, and tingling sensation. Oral hygiene, periodical dental checkups, and tight glycemic control can avert such complications.
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