Can Canker Sores from Stress Really Happen? Explore the Complete Facts and Solutions

Kapanlagi.com - Canker sores are one of the common dental and oral health issues that anyone can experience. These small sores in the oral cavity may seem trivial at first glance. However, the sensation can be very painful. From the feeling of pain, stinging when eating, to difficulty speaking. Many believe that canker sores are only caused by a deficiency of vitamin C. But did you know that canker sores from stress can also occur?

Yes, it's not just from biting or a lack of vitamins; mental pressure and burdensome thoughts can also be the culprits. According to the journal Psychological Stress and Recurrent Aphtous Stomatitis published on the National Library of Medicine website, it was found that people who experience recurrent canker sores actually have higher stress levels. So, it can be concluded that psychological stress can cause canker sores that occur in the oral cavity.

This phenomenon is increasingly found, especially among active adults who grapple with work demands, multitasking, or emotional pressure. If you find that canker sores appear more frequently when you have a lot on your mind, it might not be a coincidence. Let’s delve deeper into the facts about canker sores due to stress, the mechanisms in the body, and effective ways to address them!

What Are Canker Sores and How Can They Occur?

According to Cleveland Health, canker sores, or medically known as aphthous ulcers, are shallow lesions that form on the soft tissues of the mouth, such as the inner cheeks, tongue, gums, or lips. They are usually marked by yellowish-white spots, surrounded by a red area, and cause a burning sensation that worsens when touching food or drink.

The common causes of canker sores are quite diverse, ranging from injuries due to biting, brushing teeth too hard, food allergies, vitamin deficiencies (especially B12 and C), to viral infections. But what is often overlooked is the relationship between stress and canker sores. Canker sores do not only occur due to physical damage but can also arise from a decrease in the immune system triggered by emotional stress.

Stress and the Immune System: What’s the Connection to Canker Sores?

The human body has a sophisticated mechanism to handle threats, including stress. When you experience stress, the body releases cortisol hormones. In the short term, this hormone is useful for increasing alertness. However, chronic or prolonged stress can suppress the immune system.

A weakened immune system makes the body vulnerable to various disorders, including lesions in soft tissues such as the mouth. This is why canker sores are more likely to appear when you are under a lot of stress, fatigue, or emotional pressure. This is not just a myth, but has been supported by various studies, one of which is in the journal Psychosomatic Medicine that mentions that psychological stress is closely related to the emergence of ulcers in the oral cavity.

Signs of Canker Sores Due to Stress

Differentiating between regular canker sores and those triggered by stress is actually not too difficult, especially if you are attentive to your body's condition. Here are some characteristic signs of canker sores due to stress:

- They appear when you are experiencing mental pressure, such as approaching work deadlines, exams, or personal conflicts.

- Canker sores often recur in close succession.

- The number of sores can be more than one and appear at several different points in the oral cavity.

- They are not accompanied by infection symptoms such as fever or swollen glands.

- They are accompanied by other complaints such as difficulty sleeping, headaches, or fatigue.

If you experience recurrent canker sores with this pattern, it is highly likely that the cause is stress.

Causes of Recurrent Canker Sores: Is It Always Due to Vitamin Deficiency?

Although stress plays a significant role, there are several other factors that exacerbate the condition and cause canker sores to appear repeatedly. According to SDG Dental, nutritional deficiencies such as vitamin B12, vitamin C, iron, and folate can make the cells in the oral cavity vulnerable to damage and inflammation.

In addition, autoimmune disorders, food allergies (such as nuts, chocolate, or spicy foods), and bad habits like smoking or alcohol consumption can also trigger canker sores. Interestingly, stress often serves as the main trigger or accelerator for the emergence of these factors. For example, during stress, eating patterns tend to be poor, sleep is irregular, and the immune system decreases. All of this increases the chances of recurring thrush.

How to Naturally Treat Thrush Due to Stress

Although thrush due to stress usually heals on its own, you can still speed up the healing process with safe and easy natural treatments that can be done at home. Here are some methods you can try, complete with explanations of their benefits and how to apply them:

1. Gargling with Salt Water or Baking Soda

Salt water is known as a powerful natural antiseptic that helps clean the mouth area and speeds up the healing process of thrush sores. Its osmotic properties can draw fluid from inflamed tissues, reduce swelling, and kill bacteria that cause secondary infections.

How to make it:

- Dissolve half a teaspoon of salt in 1 glass of warm water (about 250 ml).

- Use this solution to gargle for 30 seconds, then spit it out.

- Repeat 2–3 times a day, especially after meals and before bedtime.

Alternative: Baking soda can also be used in a similar way. This ingredient helps balance the pH levels in the mouth and reduce irritation in the sore area.

2. Applying Pure Honey

Honey can also be a natural ingredient to treat thrush due to stress. This natural ingredient has remarkable antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and wound healing properties. The presence of compounds like natural hydrogen peroxide in honey can help eliminate germs while also stimulating the growth of new tissue around the canker sore.

How to use:

- First, clean the mouth area, then take a small amount of honey using a cotton bud or clean finger.

- Apply directly to the surface of the canker sore 3–4 times a day.

- Use pure honey (raw honey) without added sugar or artificial sweeteners for the best results.

3. Compress with Ice Cubes

Ice cubes can be a quick solution to relieve pain and inflammation caused by canker sores due to stress. The cold temperature will help constrict the blood vessels around the sore, thus reducing pain and swelling.

How to use:

- Wrap small ice cubes in a clean cloth or use them directly if they are small enough.

- Gently place on the canker sore for 1–2 minutes.

- Repeat several times a day when pain occurs or after eating.

4. Consume Probiotic Yogurt

Did you know that the condition of microbial flora in the gut and mouth affects the overall immune system? Yogurt contains probiotics or good bacteria that help maintain the balance of microorganisms in the body, including those that play a role in maintaining oral health.

The main benefits of yogurt for canker sores:

- Helps control the growth of harmful bacteria in the oral cavity.

- Naturally boosts the body's immunity from within.

- Reduces the likelihood of secondary infections that worsen canker sores.

5. Increase Vitamin and Mineral Intake

One of the causes of canker sores, especially those that arise due to stress, is a lack of essential nutrient intake. A stressed body tends to lose a lot of vitamins, especially vitamin C and B complex vitamins. However, these nutrients are very important for maintaining the integrity of soft tissues in the mouth and accelerating cell regeneration.

Vitamins to pay attention to:

- Vitamin C: Helps speed up wound healing and strengthens the immune system. Natural sources include oranges, strawberries, kiwis, red bell peppers, and broccoli.

- Vitamin B12 and B9 (folate): Helps produce red blood cells and new tissues. Found in eggs, chicken liver, spinach, and fortified cereals.

- Iron and zinc: Boost the immune system and repair tissue damage.

How to Manage Stress to Prevent Canker Sores from Coming Back

Since the root cause is stress, the key to preventing recurring canker sores is to manage stress healthily. Here are some methods you can try:

- Breathing exercises and meditation: Help calm the mind in a short time.

- Regular light exercise: Such as yoga, walking, or cycling, which helps the body produce endorphins (the happiness hormone).

- Keeping a daily journal: Pouring thoughts into writing can reduce emotional burdens.

- Getting enough and regular sleep: Lack of sleep weakens the immune system and worsens the effects of stress.

- Limit caffeine and excessive sugar intake: As they can affect mood and energy.

By adopting healthy habits, you not only prevent canker sores but also improve your overall quality of life.

When to See a Doctor?

Although canker sores due to stress usually heal on their own, there are some conditions that should not be ignored. Consult a doctor immediately if you experience:

- Canker sores that do not heal for more than 2 weeks.

- Wounds that are getting larger or spreading.

- Accompanied by high fever, swollen glands, or unusual bad breath.

- Severe pain that disrupts daily activities.

- Canker sores accompanied by other wounds on the body, which could be a sign of systemic disorders.

Canker sores may seem trivial, but they are actually a signal that indicates the body is experiencing health issues. It's time to start balancing your daily lifestyle to minimize stress-related canker sores that may occur!

(kpl/wri)