The canker sore is also known as the Aphthous ulcer. It is an oral ulcer and it has a painful open sore that opens inside the mouth. This may also appear in the upper throat which may be characterized by the break in the mucous membrane. This disease is not contagious. The alternative names to the disease are Aphthous Stomatitis and Sutton’s disease. In 30-40% of the patients the disease is said to be recurrent in nature. Women are more prone to this disease than men.

The canker sore ulcer can be idiopathic in nature. Though once the sore appears the intake of citrus fruits, physical trauma, weight loss, lack of sleep, immune system reaction, food allergies and deficiencies of iron, vitamin B12, and folic acid may always contribute to the development of the ulcers.  This may sometimes be the side effect of the cow’s milk.

You should cut down the regular use of non-alcoholic mouthwash to cut down at the occurrence of the ulcer. Avoid physical traumas such as braces, toothbrush injury or accidental biting of the inside of the mouth. Those with zinc deficiency caused canker sore should be given the daily zinc supplements.