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Canker sores (aphthous ulcers) are a common form of mouth ulcer. They occur in women more often than men. They may occur at any age, but usually first appear between the ages of 10 and 40.


The cause is unknown. There may be an inherited predisposition to their development. There may also be an immune system link. Ulcers may develop in response to mouth injury such as dental procedures or aggressive tooth cleaning.

They may occur at the site of a bite when the tongue or cheek is bitten. They can also be triggered by stress, dietary deficiencies (especially iron, folic acid, or vitamin B12), menstrual periods, hormonal changes, food allergies, and similar situations. They occur most commonly with viral infections. They may occur with no identifiable cause.


Canker sores usually appear on nonkeratinized mouth tissue including the inner surface of the cheeks and lips, tongue, soft palate, and the base of the gums.

They usually begin with a tingling or burning sensation, followed by a red spot or bump that ulcerates. Pain spontaneously decreases in 7 to 10 days, with complete healing in 1 to 3 weeks. Occasionally, a severe occurrence may be accompanied by nonspecific symptoms of illness such as fever or malaise. Recurrence is common and may continue for years.
Avoid hot or spicy foods to minimize discomfort. Mild mouth washes such as salt water or over-the-counter mouth washes may aid in hygiene and increase comfort. Over-the-counter topical (applied to a localized area of the skin) medications for canker sores may reduce discomfort and soothe the ulcerated area.


Maintain good oral hygiene to prevent bacterial infection. This includes thorough brushing and flossing of the teeth and regular professional cleaning.

The easiest home remedy is to apply hydrogen peroxide (1 part hydrogen peroxide and one part water with a cotton swab) on the canker sore. Then dab a small amount of milk of magnesia on the canker 3-4 times a day. This is not only soothing, but appears to help healing.

You can also apply tea tree oil to help heal them. Since tea tree oil is not real tasty a better solution is to rub a tea tree oil based toothpaste on to help with the healing. Since you have so many now you may want to see the doc for specific medical treatment, especially since you mention that your glands are a bit sore.