Canker or No Canker?

I just had a great lunch with Taryn and Victor at the Gypsy Den at the Lab. Their vegetarian chill is delicious!

So, Victor was wondering if he had a canker sore in the back of his mouth or not. I couldn't really see so Taryn went in for a closer look! We decided no canker! I really heart that we are so close that we can stare into each other's mouths and decide if we got funk going on or not! :)


Definition of Canker Sore:
Canker sores are small shallow ulcers that appear in the mouth and often make eating and talking uncomfortable. There are two types of canker sores:

1. Simple canker sores. These may appear three or four times a year and last up to a week. They typically occur in people between 10 and 20 years of age.
2. Complex canker sores. These are less common and occur more often in people who have previously had them.

What Causes Canker Sores?

The exact cause of most canker sores is unknown. Stress or tissue injury is thought to be the cause of simple canker sores. Certain foods – including citrus or acidic fruits and vegetables (such as lemons, oranges, pineapples, apples, figs, tomatoes, strawberries) – can trigger a canker sore or make the problem worse. Use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, like Motrin, is another common cause. Sometimes a sharp tooth surface or dental appliance, such as braces or ill-fitting dentures, might also trigger canker sores.

Some cases of complex canker sores are caused by an underlying health condition, such as an impaired immune system; nutritional problems, such as vitamin B-12, zinc, folic acid, or iron deficiency; and gastrointestinal tract disease, such as Celiac disease and Crohn's disease.