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Canker Sores

Mouth sores in kids are painful and scary, especially since even dentists don’t understand what causes them. While they usually go away by themselves within two or three weeks, they cause pain and suffering during the time they’re active. For the most effective canker sore treatment, turn to the experts at Tiny Smiles Pediatric Dentistry — in Woodbridge, New Jersey, in Harlem and on the Lower East Side of Manhattan. They know how to cure canker sores and stop them from returning. Call the practice today to schedule an exam.

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Canker Sore

What Are Canker Sores in Kids?

Canker sores, also known as aphthous ulcers, are small sores that develop on the soft tissues in a child’s mouth, including inside the cheek, on the lips, at the base of the gums and on or under the tongue. A canker sore in kids, which happens between the ages of 10 and 19, creates a painful condition that affects your child’s mood and increases the risk of infection.


If your child complains about pain in the mouth, visit a pediatric dentist for an exam. While a canker sore in kids goes away in about two weeks, the discomfort disrupts your child’s life so that eating comfortably and speaking clearly become problematic. The best pediatric dentists at Tiny Smiles Pediatric Dentistry — in Woodbridge, New Jersey, and in Manhattan — offer pain-relieving canker sore treatment.


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What Can Cause a Canker Sore in Kids?

No one knows what causes canker sores in kids, but dentists have identified multiple risks for the development of these issues. Risks include:

Diets low in vitamin B-12, folic acid and iron may lead to canker sores.

Your NYC or NJ pediatric dental specialist explains everything you need to know about these open oral sores. When your child knows what’s happening and what’s causing it, treatment becomes easier to undergo and preventative habits are easier to nurture.

What Are the Signs of Canker Sores?

As a parent, you must differentiate canker sores from other sores, which helps you know when to contact your pediatric dentist. The differences between canker sores and cold sores include:

  • Canker sores aren’t contagious.

  • Canker sores aren’t caused by a virus or germs.

  • Canker sores aren’t accompanied by a fever, unlike cold sores.

  • White or yellow sores with a red border around them

  • Round sores under the lips, inside the cheeks or under the tongue

  • Pain caused by the sores

  • A tingling sensation as a new sore develops

  • Extreme pain when eating or drinking

  • Sores that pop alone or sometimes in clusters

Children develop multiple oral health issues that have similar symptoms. When it comes to canker sores, you may risk misdiagnosing the condition, which is why you need the expertise of a trained pediatric dentist.