Dentistry-Online

Aphthae - how contagious are canker sores?

introduction

In medical terminology, the term canker sores is a very painful damage to the mucous membrane in the field of:

Oral cavity
Gums
Almonds (lat. Tonsils)
tongue

A canker sore consists of a bulging, filled vesicle that protrudes from the mucous membrane inflamed edge hem is surrounded. This type of mucosal damage usually exhibits a whitish yellow color and is from the healthy tissue well delineated.

In addition to the typical locations in the oral cavity, canker sores can also be found in the Mucous membrane of the genital area be detected. Aphthae are typical tissue changes that occur, for example, in the course of a infection with the Herpes simplex virus occur and severely restrict the affected patient. Other diseases can also cause blisters in the mouth.

Read more on this topic at: Vesicles in the mouth

Are canker sores contagious?

In general, canker sores can appear as not infectious be viewed, a Transmission when kissing or exchanging saliva food can therefore largely be excluded. In addition, such vesicles are inside the oral cavity not always in need of treatment.

A therapy in the form of Ointments or creams should only be for the purpose of Pain relief be set. An affected patient can use to reduce pain quickly Painkiller how Paracetamol or Ibuprofen take in.

An exception to this rule are canker sores that occur in the course of a Herpes simplex infection occur at which it too after years of rest can lead to the renewed formation of canker sores, which are contagious. Herpes is one potentially contagious infectious disease, in which the transmission of the causative viruses (herpes simplex viruses) should be prevented.

In this case, it should be noted that the Transmission of viruses only at acute occurrence the vesicles can occur, canker sores are not contagious excluded within the canker sore resting phases.

Risk of infection in the baby

Often the question arises whether the canker sores are transmissible from person to person or whether they are contagious.
Especially in the family and the close mother-child relationship, this question arises when a sore throat appears in the baby's mouth. Because glasses or cutlery are often used together in a family, or people kiss.

Read more on this topic: Herpes in babies - how dangerous is it?

Basically there is no risk of infection with canker sores.
A baby does not get canker sores in the mouth because, for example, it has eaten from a spoon that the mother previously had in its mouth. The development of canker sores is associated with internal processes in the body, such as a genetic predisposition, a weakened immune system or a deficiency in vitamin B, vitamin C or zinc.
A specific virus or bacterium that is transmitted from person to person via saliva is not responsible for the development of canker sores.
In babies and children in particular, canker sores can appear as a side effect of hand-mouth-foot disease, so that a special pathogen that is directly responsible for the occurrence of canker sores cannot be transmitted, but other diseases that are accompanied by canker sores. Hand, mouth and foot disease is transmitted through saliva, among other things.

Also read: Aphthae in pregnancy

Risk of infection when kissing

Can you get canker sores from kissing?

Aphthae come mainly in the throat, on the tongue (see also: Canker sores on the train) and on the oral mucosa.
As small white dots, they not only cause pain, but are also very unsightly. If you want to kiss your life partner, a canker sore can be an unpleasant obstacle because you are ashamed and fear that by exchanging saliva you will also have canker sores "infected“.

There is no direct pathogen that causes canker sores in the body, so there is no risk of infection when kissing. Aphthae are not contagious.

Aphthae develop from within the body, due to a genetic predisposition, a weakened immune system, as a concomitant symptom of another disease or a lack of vitamin B, C or zinc. What you should note, however, is that canker sores can appear as side effects of various diseases, so that the pathogen can be transmitted through saliva.
Whether a canker sore develops depends on the respective immune system, because every body reacts differently to an external pathogen. Aphthae can be uncomfortable when kissing, not only from an aesthetic point of view, but also cause pain, as canker sores are very sensitive to touch.

Classification of canker sores

In general, a distinction is made between small (minor form) and large (major form) vesicles. The size of such a small canker sore is less than about one centimeter in diameter. Small canker sores usually heal completely within one to two weeks.

Find out more about the topic: Aphthae - painful blisters in the mouth and throat

Large canker sores, on the other hand, can be several centimeters in size. The healing time of large canker sores usually takes a period of several weeks to months. However, the pain intensity of such a mucosal bubble does not correlate with its size. Rather, the exact location of the canker sores is decisive for how they affect the patient.

The vesicles are perceived as particularly painful, especially in regions subject to high mechanical stress (for example the inside of the lip or tongue). Those affected often report that they are mostly

Speak
Ingestion
Swallowing saliva or water

find it extremely uncomfortable.

In addition, acidic foods and / or beverages in particular can irritate the inflamed blisters and cause severe pain.

Tea tree oil solutions can be used to treat the vesicles of the mucous membrane. In addition, many sufferers find the application of anti-inflammatory lemon balm extract and the use of chamomile or sage tea rinses extremely soothing.

Illustration of canker sores

The most common areas
(blue circles)

Herpes -
Herpes simplex
Oral mucosa -
Tunica mucosa oris
Tongue -
Lingua
Gums -
Gingiva
Palate -
Palatum
Palatine almond -
Palatine tonsil
Lip -
Labium oris

Examples of large and small canker sores -
(green circles)
Large canker sores - Major form
Small canker sores - Minor form