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Canker Sores Center - Rapid City, SD

Rapid City Ear, Nose, & Throat Doctor Doctors for Canker Sores

Type of Physician: Ear, Nose, & Throat Doctor

What is a Ear, Nose, & Throat Doctor?

A certification by the Board of Otolaryngology; practitioners provide comprehensive medical and surgical care of patients with diseases and disorders that affect the ears, the respiratory and upper alimentary systems (nose, mouth and throat) and related structures.

Specialty: Ear, Nose & Throat (Otolaryngology)

Common Name: Ear, Nose, Throat Doctor

Ear, Nose, & Throat Doctor Doctors in Rapid City *

Rapid City Medical Center
Robert C Burgess
2820 Mt Rushmore Rd
Rapid City, SD 57701
(605) 342-3280

Rapid City Medical Center
Robert L Ferrell
2820 Mt Rushmore Rd
Rapid City, SD 57701
(605) 342-3280

Rapid City, South Dakota

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Canker Sores

What are canker sores?

Canker sores are small ulcer craters in the lining of the mouth that are frequently painful and sensitive. Canker sores are very common. About 20% of the population (one out of five people) have canker sores at any one time. Canker sores are also medically known as aphthous ulcers or aphthous stomatitis.

Women are slightly more likely than men to have recurrent canker sores. It can occur at any age, but it is more commonly seen in teenagers. Genetic studies show that susceptibility to recurrent outbreaks of the sores is inherited in some patients. This partially explains why family members often share the condition.

Canker sores are generally classified into three groups based on size.

  1. Minor sores have a diameter of 1millimeter (mm) to 10mm. They are the most common (80% of all canker sores) and usually last about 7-10 days.
  2. Major sores (10% of all canker sores) have a diameter of greater than 10mm and they may take anywhere between 10-30 days to heal. They may leave a scar after they heal.

  3. Herpetiform ulcers (10% of all canker sores) are formed by a cluster of multiple small individual sores (less than 3mm). They also usually heal within 7-10 days.

What are symptoms of canker sores?

Canker sores are usually found on the movable parts of the mouth, such as the tongue or the inside lining of the lips and cheeks, and at the base of the gums. The ulcers begin as small oval or round reddish swellings that usually burst within a day. The ruptured sores are covered by a thin white or yellow membrane and edged by a red halo. Generally, the sores heal within two weeks without scarring. Fever is rare, and the sores are rarely associated with other diseases. Usually, a person has only one or a few canker sores at a time.

Most people experience their first bout with canker sores...

Recommended Reading Related to Canker Sores

Tongue Problems »

What Causes a White Tongue?

There are a number of things that can cause a whitish coating or white spots to develop on the tongue, including:

  • Leukoplakia. This condition causes cells in the mouth to grow excessively. That, in turn, leads to the formation of white patches inside the mouth, including on the tongue. Although not dangerous on its own, leukoplakia can be a precursor to cancer. So it is important for your dentist to determine the cause of white patches on your tongue. Leukoplakia can develop when the tongue has been irritated and is often found in people who use tobacco products.
  • Oral thrush. Also known as candidiasis, oral thrush is a yeast infection that develops inside the mouth. The condition results in white patches that are often cottage cheese-like in consistency on the surfaces of the mouth and tongue. Oral thrush is most commonly seen in infants and the elderly, espe...

Emergency Contact for Rapid City

  • In case of Emergency, call 911

Nearby Rapid City Hospitals *

Regional West Center for Behavioral Health
915 Mountain View Rd
Rapid City, SD 57702
(605)719-7200

Rapid City Regional Hospital
353 Fairmont Blvd
Rapid City, SD 57701
(605)719-1000

Black Hills Rehabilitation Hospital
2908 5th St
Rapid City, SD 57701
(605)719-1100

Rapid City Indian Health Service Hospital
3200 Canyon Lake Dr
Rapid City, SD 57702
(605)355-2500

Sturgis Community Health Care Center
949 Harmon St
Sturgis, SD 57785
(605)347-2536

VA Black Hills Health Care System Fort Meade
113 Comanche Rd
Fort Meade, SD 57741
(605)347-2511

Custer Community Hospital
1039 Montgomery St
Custer, SD 57730
(605)673-2229

Northern Hills General Hospital
61 Charles St
Deadwood, SD 57732
(605)578-2313

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