Canker Sores (Mouth Ulcers)

Canker sores are painful shallow ulcers (sores) in the lining of the mouth, usually on the inside of lips, inside of cheeks, and gums. Your child will not get a fever from a canker sore.

What is the cause?

Herpes simplex causes recurrent fever blisters on the outer lip but does not cause recurrent canker sores on the inside of the mouth.

How long will they last?

How can you take care of your child?

• Pain relief

  To reduce the pain, your child can swish 1 teaspoon of an antacid solution in her mouth for several minutes. For very young children, put a half teaspoon of antacid solution directly on canker sores after meals. A child over age 4 with just one sore can put an antacid tablet on the sore and let it dissolve. Do this 3 or 4 times a day. Give acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil) as needed for pain (especially at bedtime).

• Diet

  Offer a soft, bland diet to reduce the pain. Cold drinks and milkshakes are especially good. Avoid giving your child salty foods, citrus fruits, and foods that need much chewing. Encourage your child to drink favorite fluids to prevent dehydration. For very young children, give fluids by cup rather than from a bottle because the nipple can increase the pain.

• Prevention

  Canker sores tend to recur in some people. Good attention to toothbrushing after meals may prevent some sores. Be careful with toothpicks and rough foods.

  Try to identify any foods that might be causing the ulcers. Were tomato, citrus fruit, peppermint, cinnamon, nuts, or shellfish eaten within the last day? If you find a food that you think may be causing the problem, don't let your child eat the food for 2 weeks and then offer it again to see whether your child gets canker sores from it. If the canker sores do come back, your child should never eat that food.

Call during office hours if:

• the pain becomes severe
• your child can't drink enough fluids
• the sores last longer than 2 weeks
• you feel your child is getting worse

	FEVER A rise in body temperature above normal. "Normal" depends on how you measure your child's body temperature. If you measure by rectum (bum) or by ear, fever means a temperature over 38°C (100.4°F). If you measure by mouth, fever means a temperature over 37.5°C (99.5°F). If you measure in the armpit, fever means a temperature over 37.3°C (99.1°F).