I’m going anon on this because my own stupidity is just too embarrassing!

Do canker sores in your mouth cause an overall feeling of dry mouth?

I am one of those people who have an overwhelming fear of the dentist. I go only when there is a drastic emergency, and, thankfully, there haven’t been many. I know I have to get over this fear, as now that I have children, I don’t want them to feel the same way I do. But, right now, I don’t really feel like this is one of those emergencies, but, my PC doctor is on vacation!!

I have a couple of small bumps on the inside of my mouth, on the cheek! I have explained this to everyone who will listen and the first thing everyone says is “are the cankers?” I don’t even know what a canker is! A couple of days ago, the bumps were red, now they are white. But, it’s the overwhelming dry feeling in my mouth that is the worst, especially after I eat! I feel like my cheeks and lips are sticking to my teeth!

Wow, reading this, I realized it’s probably TMI, but, what the heck!?!

What do you think? Cankers or not?

By Vicki on Tuesday, November 8, 2005 - 01:18 pm:

No need to feel stupid. I have no idea either. I have never had a canker sore either. Have you looked it up online? I bet you might be able to find some pictures of it. Also, if it is that, I believe they sell over the counter meds for it.

By Babysitbarb on Tuesday, November 8, 2005 - 01:49 pm:

I have had many canker sores over the years and I didn't have the feeling of dry mouth. My mouth is always soar in that area when I have them but, not really dry. Use some warm water with salt in it and swish it around in your mouth. Do this for a couple days and if you feel like they are getting better then keep doing it until they go away.If not then it's probably something else.

By Kernkate on Tuesday, November 8, 2005 - 02:25 pm:

Ditto Barb, Try the salt water and see how that goes.
Here's a article I found on the net.
Canker Sores

By Dana on Tuesday, November 8, 2005 - 03:55 pm:

Doesn't sound like canker at all to me. Canker sores are wholes, not bumps. If it were me and there were only a couple I would wait and see what happens. If you get more or it continues longer than a week, I would see someone about it, but I would see a dr rather than a dentist.

By Dana on Tuesday, November 8, 2005 - 03:56 pm:

"holes", whoops, you could have a whole lot of holes or two canker holes that formed one large whole sore, but not a sore that is a whole. :-)

By Luvn29 on Tuesday, November 8, 2005 - 04:01 pm:

LOL Dana! You are as bad as me about seeing mistakes I make. I have to explain them or it drives me crazy!

By Dawnk777 on Tuesday, November 8, 2005 - 05:17 pm:

When I get canker sores, they feel like bumps and really hurt. I hate having canker sores, because I always end up biting them and making them worse. Ouch. I don't know that they make my mouth feel dry, though.

By Marcia on Wednesday, November 9, 2005 - 12:18 am:

I have a couple right now, and they're driving me crazy! They hurt, and I've never had a dry mouth from them.
You could have a bit of thrush, if it's raised patches of white. Still not sure if that causes a dry mouth or not.

By Paulas on Wednesday, November 9, 2005 - 02:40 am:

I have had tons of canker sores over the years (until they discovered that I should not have sulfur based drugs ) They are usually white patches that hurt like crazy but never have I had a dry mouth feeling.

By Karen~moderator on Wednesday, November 9, 2005 - 07:56 am:

What are canker sores?
Canker sores are shallow, painful sores in your mouth. They are usually red or may sometimes have a white coating over them. You might get them on the inside of your lips, the insides of your cheeks, the base of your gums or under your tongue. Canker sores are different from fever blisters, which usually are on the outside of your lips or the corners of your mouth.

Anyone can get canker sores, but women people in their teens and 20s get them more often. Canker sores may run in families, but they aren't contagious. Doctors don't know what causes canker sores, but they may be triggered by stress, poor nutrition, food allergies and menstrual periods.

The full info is on the link Kathy posted.

By Dawnk777 on Thursday, November 10, 2005 - 12:20 am:

I get canker sores from eating too much chocolate, too many salty chips, or too many citrus fruits. I just have to eat in moderation!