Canker sores are also called apthous ulcers - and although they are incredibly common, no one really knows what the cause is. They are seen more often in women than in men and seem to run in families (at least for some people). Canker sores are not usually contagious.
Here's a picture of a canker sore so that you can see what they look like:
Some common triggers for canker sores include:
** stress
** lack of sleep
** vitamin deficiency
** physical trauma from rough edges on teeth, poorly fitting dentures, sharp edges on braces or orthodontic appliances
** too much salty food - particularly salty potato snacks
** excess citrus fruits or citrus fruit drinks
** immune deficiency
** lack of vitamin B
** poor diet and poor vitamin intake
** lack or iron and / or folic acid in the diet
** some medications including some cancer treatments leave people vulnerable to canker sores
** several research papers hint at a link between canker sores and celiac disease or gluten intolerance
** zinc deficiency seems to be a potent trigger in many people and taking zinc supplements can help cure the problem
There are lots of treatment options for canker sores - ranging from home remedies and diet supplements all the way to prescription only medication.
You can find out more on the pages below.