What Causes Canker Sores in Babies? Symptoms, Process, and Effective Treatment Methods

Canker sores in babies are small but often very painful ulcers that appear in the mouth for various reasons. While the exact cause of these common infant sores is unknown, many factors ranging from a weakened immune system to nutritional deficiencies can play a role in their development. Although canker sores often heal in a short time, they can make feeding and breastfeeding difficult due to the sensitivity of a baby's oral structure. In such cases, it is important to take the baby to a specialist doctor and plan the necessary treatment.

What Are Canker Sores in Babies?

A canker sore in a baby's mouth is a small, painful ulcer that appears on the inner surface of the mouth. Also known as mouth ulcers, canker sores can affect people of all ages. While they are not as common in children and infants as they are in adults, they can be quite distressing for a child when they do occur. These lesions, also called aphthous stomatitis, begin as white or yellow sores with redness around the edges. These sores are usually smaller than 1 millimeter but can grow if not treated in the early stages.

Different areas of the mouth, such as the tongue, palate, gums, inside of the cheeks, or the inner surface of the lips, are the most common sites for canker sores. Currently, the exact causes of canker sores in babies are not known. Experts state that many factors, from viral infections to vitamin and mineral deficiencies, can trigger their formation.

Some studies show that 9% of children experience mouth ulcers. However, experts may face challenges in diagnosing canker sores in babies. The most important reason for this is that mouth sores are a complication of various diseases, especially febrile illnesses.

Canker sore symptoms in babies often disappear on their own within a few days. However, sores that recur frequently or cover a large part of the mouth may be a sign of an underlying health problem. Therefore, it is important to consult a specialist doctor if canker sore symptoms in babies last a long time or recur frequently.

What Are the Symptoms of Canker Sores in Babies?

Canker sores in babies are a health issue characterized by sores in the mouth. In other words, when we talk about symptoms of canker sores in babies, the first thing that comes to mind is mouth sores. Accordingly, the main symptoms of canker sores in babies are as follows:

Mouth sores: Canker sores usually manifest as painful ulcers affecting the oral mucosa, such as the tongue, palate, gums, inside of the cheeks, or the inner surface of the lips. While a canker sore often appears alone in a baby's mouth, in some cases, sores can be seen in clusters.

Spots: Canker sores are typically seen as small white or yellow spots with redness around them.

Tingling sensation: Before the mouth sores even appear, there may be a burning or tingling sensation inside the baby's mouth. Babies who cannot yet express themselves fully may indicate their discomfort by constantly putting their hands in their mouths or by crying.

High fever and swollen lymph nodes: In advanced cases, symptoms such as high fever and swollen lymph nodes may accompany mouth sores in babies. This is more common, especially if the baby has a viral infection.

The severity of canker sore symptoms in babies can vary depending on the type of sore. The main types of canker sores can be listed as follows:

Minor canker sores: Minor canker sores are the most common type seen in babies, accounting for nearly 80% of all cases. Minor canker sores, which are a few millimeters in diameter, usually heal on their own within 1-2 weeks without leaving a scar.

Major canker sores: Rarer major canker sores account for approximately 10% of cases. These sores, which can usually be 1-3 centimeters in diameter, can affect intraoral tissues such as the gums. Major canker sores, which take longer to heal than minor canker sores, may leave a scar in the affected area after healing.

Herpetiform canker sores: These sores appear as small, clustered lesions. Because they are the size of a pinhead, they are often confused with herpes infections, but these sores are not related to the herpes virus.

Although mouth sores and canker sores in babies are usually minor, they can be quite uncomfortable for the baby in some cases. Therefore, it is beneficial to consult a specialist doctor if the sores last longer than a few days.

What Causes Canker Sores in Babies?

Canker sores, which are small, white, or yellow mouth ulcers, usually affect older children and adolescents, but they can also be seen in babies. The exact cause of canker sores in babies is not known. Some factors can trigger their formation. Accordingly, the main causes of canker sores in babies are as follows:

Viral infections: One of the most common causes of canker sores in babies is viral infections. One of the main symptoms of a common viral infection in babies and children known as hand, foot, and mouth disease, caused by a virus called coxsackievirus, is mouth sores. In addition, blisters may also be seen on the baby's hands and feet.

Autoimmune health problems: Another possible cause of canker sores in babies is autoimmune disorders. If the immune system perceives the body's own cells as a threat for any reason and attacks them, sores in the form of canker sores may appear in the mouth. Health problems such as celiac disease and inflammatory bowel disease, in particular, can manifest themselves with canker sores.

Nutritional deficiencies: Another common cause of canker sore formation in babies is nutritional deficiency. Vitamin and mineral deficiencies such as iron, folic acid, and B12 deficiency can lead to the formation of canker sores in the mouth. Low ferritin levels, in particular, can cause frequently recurring mouth sores linked to iron deficiency.

Food sensitivities: Some foods can irritate the sensitive mucous membrane in a baby's mouth, leading to the formation of canker sores. Certain foods, especially chocolate and citrus fruits, can cause irritation inside a baby's mouth.

Although canker sores in babies often heal on their own, they can cause significant problems in the baby's growth and development when they arise due to reasons such as nutritional deficiency. Therefore, it is recommended to seek help from a specialist doctor, especially for frequently recurring canker sores.

How Are Canker Sores in Babies Diagnosed?

Parents who apply to healthcare institutions suspecting that their baby has a canker sore may first be asked some questions by specialists, such as the baby's medical history and whether they have any food allergies. Diagnosis of canker sores in babies can usually be made with a simple physical examination. Detecting small, white, or yellow lesions that are easily noticeable in the mouth when examined with the naked eye is often sufficient for a canker sore diagnosis. However, if the canker sores in babies recur or the healing process is prolonged, doctors may use further examinations to evaluate whether there is an underlying health problem. At this point, specialists may first resort to blood tests to check whether the immune system is working properly or to detect vitamin and mineral deficiencies. Additionally, especially in cases that do not respond to treatment, specialists may request that a sample be taken from the surface of the sore and examined in the laboratory.

How Are Canker Sores in Babies Treated?

During the treatment of canker sores in babies, the primary goal of specialists is to relieve the baby's pain and minimize the risk of the canker sore recurring. Although a canker sore in a baby's mouth often heals on its own within 1-2 weeks, this process can be quite painful for babies. Specialists may give parents some suggestions to comfort the child. These are as follows:

Giving honey or milk: For children over one year old, honey can have a soothing effect on canker sores. However, honey should not be given to babies under one year old due to the risk of botulism. In addition to honey, cold milk can also be used to soothe mouth sores. However, if cow's milk is to be used, it is important to consult a specialist before giving it to the baby.

Soft foods: Giving the baby soft foods without sharp edges can help prevent irritation of the sores in the mouth. Choosing pureed foods during this period can speed up the healing process.

If canker sores recur, doctors may prescribe various medications to strengthen the baby's immune system or prevent viral infections. Additionally, if there is a problem such as iron deficiency in the baby, doctors may make some recommendations to correct these deficiencies.

Frequently Asked Questions

Among the most common causes of canker sores on the tongue, throat, gums, or anywhere in the oral mucosa in babies are factors such as viral infections, nutritional deficiencies, and food sensitivity. Especially when the baby's immune system is weakened for various reasons or the tongue is irritated during feeding, white or yellow spots may appear on the tongue. Although it is not known exactly why canker sores occur in babies today, factors such as viral infectious diseases like hand, foot, and mouth disease, vitamin and mineral deficiencies such as iron, folic acid, and B12 deficiency, allergic reactions, and autoimmune diseases can cause canker sore formation. Mouthwashes, topical painkillers, or over-the-counter medications recommended by a doctor can be used for the treatment of canker sores in babies. In addition, giving soft foods that do not irritate the inside of the baby's mouth, ensuring adequate fluid intake, and using liquid antacids to relieve pain can also help the baby feel comfortable. Honey can be given to babies over one year old, but it is not recommended to give honey to babies under one year old. Various health problems such as autoimmune diseases or food allergies may underlie constantly recurring canker sores. Canker sores usually heal on their own within a week. During this process, ensuring the baby is comfortable and seeking help from a doctor when necessary can speed up the healing process.

If your baby has a canker sore in their mouth and it does not go away within a few days or recurs frequently, you can make an appointment with our specialist doctor without delay to have the necessary checks done for your baby's health. We are by your side, do not hesitate to contact us!