Canker sore - Oral aphtha

This is a round, well-defined, relatively painful ulcer or superficial wound on the oral mucosa (inside of the cheek or lip, gums and/or base of the tongue), with a whitish surface and a red base. It usually disappears within 7-10 days but tends to recur (reappear). The cause is unknown but it could be viral or triggered by stress, vitamin deficiency, hormonal changes or food allergies. It is not contagious. Some mouthwashes improve symptoms and accelerate healing. Unless there are doubts regarding the diagnosis or associated additional symptoms, medical attention is not considered necessary as only a clinical examination will be carried out (to rule out candidiasis).