Cold sores and canker sores are often confused. However, many people get canker sores in mouth and they are not the same as your average cold sore.

There are many people that confuse getting a common cold sore and a canker sore. However, people get canker sores in mouth and a cold sore will appear on or around the outside of the lips. They are also caused by two entirely different things. Cold sores, often referred to as fever blisters or herpes simplex 1, are caused by a virus and are extremely contagious. Canker sores can be caused by many things, including consuming too many citrusy or acidic foods, stress or tissue injury. In some more extreme cases canker sores can be caused by an underlying condition like low B-12, folic acid or zinc levels in the body or an iron deficiency. People that suffer from gastrointestinal diseases like Crohn' disease and Celiac disease are also more at risk to develop canker sores frequently.

The symptoms of canker sores are the same with every occurrence. You may feel a slight tingling sensation in the area a few days before the sore appears. The sores are typically grey or white in color and have a red outline around the outer edge. They are typically painful and will show up on the inside of your mouth, on your tongue, inside your cheeks or on the roof of your mouth. Canker sores can be very uncomfortable and really annoying. While the sore is in your mouth, you should avoid eating foods that contain a lot of citrus or a lot of acid. Foods like lemons, oranges, tomatoes and pineapples can irritate the sore even more than it already is. Gum chewing should also be avoided during this time and you should brush your teeth with a soft bristled tooth brush to keep the area clean and free of bacteria. You can use over the counter medications that numb the gum area to help ease the pain while the canker sore is still in your mouth. Normally, a canker sore will heal on its own within two weeks and there is no need to see a doctor. However, there are some instances when a doctor visit may be required. You should see a doctor if the sore lasts longer than three weeks, if the sore spreads, if you have trouble drinking fluids or there you get a fever with the canker sore.