Canker Sore (Child)
A canker sore (also called an aphthous ulcer) is a painful sore on the lining of the mouth. It is most painful during the first few days, and it lasts about 7 to 14 days before going away.
Causes
Canker sores are not cold sores or fever blisters. They are not contagious, so they are not spread by contact. The exact cause of canker sores is not clear. But there are a number of things that can trigger them in different people:
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Mild injury, such as biting the inside of the mouth, lip, or cheek, or dental procedures
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Stress
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Poor diet, or lack of certain nutrients, including B vitamins and iron
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Foods that can irritate the mouth, including tomatoes, citrus fruits, and some nuts (foods that are acidic or contain bitter substances called tannins)
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Irritating chemicals, such as those in some toothpastes and mouthwashes
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Certain chronic illnesses
Symptoms
Canker sores are found on the lining of the mouth. They can be inside the cheeks or lips, on the roof of the mouth, at the base of the gums, on the tongue, or in the back of the throat.
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Sores are small and flat (not raised)
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Can be white or yellowish bumps that are red around the edges or have a red halo around them
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Usually small in size, roundish, and in groups
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Accompanied by pain or burning
Canker sores do not leave a scar. But they usually come back.
Home care
The goals of canker sore treatment are to decrease the pain, speed healing, and prevent sores from coming back. No single treatment works for everyone. Try different methods to see what works best for your child.
Medicines
Your child’s healthcare provider may prescribe a numbing gel to help ease the pain of a canker sore. Follow the provider’s instructions when using this.
General care
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Use a clean cloth or tissue to pat the ulcer dry before applying any medicine.
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Apply the medicine with a clean cotton swab.
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Be sure your child uses only a soft-bristle toothbrush and brushes the teeth gently.
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Have your child stay away from foods that can cut or scrape the inside of the mouth, such as potato chips.
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Don't give your child foods that are spicy, salty, or acidic (such as lemons and tomatoes). These can irritate the gums and aggravate sores.
Homemade rinses and solutions
Children may rinse their mouth for 1 minute with either of the following solutions. After rinsing, the solution should be spit out, not swallowed. Another method, which can be used with children who are too young to rinse and spit, is to dab the mixture on the sores with a cotton swab. You can repeat these treatments as often as needed.
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Rinse the mouth with saltwater (1/2 teaspoon of salt in 1 glass of warm water).
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Mix equal amounts of hydrogen peroxide and water. This can be used as a mouth rinse or dabbed on spots with a cotton swab. You can also add sodium bicarbonate to this to make a paste, and then dab it on the sores.
Special note to parents
Numbing gels or mouth rinses may sting at first. This pain lasts just a short time.
Follow-up care
Follow up with your child’s healthcare provider, or as advised.
If a culture was done, you will be notified if the treatment needs to be changed. You can call as directed for the results.
When to seek medical advice
Call 911
Call 911 if any of these occur:
Call Your Healthcare Provider
For a usually healthy child, call your child's healthcare provider right away if any of these occur:
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Your child has a fever (see "Fever and Children" table below)
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Your child has a sore that doesn't heal
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Your child has continuing pain
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Your child has trouble eating or drinking
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Your child has several canker sores in a year
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Your child shows signs of infection, such as increased redness or swelling, worsening pain, or foul-smelling drainage from the canker sore
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Fever and children
Always use a digital thermometer to check your child’s temperature. Never use a mercury thermometer.
For infants and toddlers, be sure to use a rectal thermometer correctly. A rectal thermometer may accidentally poke a hole in (perforate) the rectum. It may also pass on germs from the stool. Always follow the product maker’s directions for proper use. If you don’t feel comfortable taking a rectal temperature, use another method. When you talk to your child’s healthcare provider, tell him or her which method you used to take your child’s temperature.
Here are guidelines for fever temperature. Ear temperatures aren’t accurate before 6 months of age. Don’t take an oral temperature until your child is at least 4 years old.
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Infant under 3 months old:
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- Ask your child’s healthcare provider how you should take the temperature.
- Rectal or forehead (temporal artery) temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, or as directed by the provider
- Armpit temperature of 99°F (37.2°C) or higher, or as directed by the provider
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Child age 3 to 36 months:
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- Rectal, forehead (temporal artery), or ear temperature of 102°F (38.9°C) or higher, or as directed by the provider
- Armpit temperature of 101°F (38.3°C) or higher, or as directed by the provider
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Child of any age:
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- Repeated temperature of 104°F (40°C) or higher, or as directed by the provider
- Fever that lasts more than 24 hours in a child under 2 years old. Or a fever that lasts for 3 days in a child 2 years or older.
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© 2000-2021 The StayWell Company, LLC. All rights reserved. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your healthcare professional's instructions. This information has been modified by your health care provider with permission from the publisher.