What is the White Stuff on a Canker Sore? (Scientific Answer)
What is the white stuff on my canker sore, and how is it that something so small can hurt so much?
This is a common question that people often wonder when they are terrorized by these pesky mouth ulcers. The white part of your canker sore consists of white blood cells, inflammatory substances, and bacteria that are embedded near nerve endings. Often times, you will notice that the area around the white part of your canker sore is inflamed and swollen.
Your Immune System and Canker Sore
To help heal your canker sore, your immune system recruits substances such as neutrophils that help trap and kill foreign organisms within the blood vessels, and macrophages that engulf these organisms within the tissue. The inflammatory process can go into overdrive and make the nerve endings much more inflamed and sensitive than normal. The disruption in the nerve endings by foreign substances also trigger tremendous pain. Talking, drinking, and eating are normal daily activities that become completely disrupted due to the intense pain.
What is the White Part of the Canker Sore?
The white part of your canker sore is made up of white blood cells and debris of dead tissues and bacteria. It is surrounded by nerve endings, which results in severe pain. When the white part of your canker sore begins to turn grey, it means that your canker sore is starting to heal. The neutrophils and macrophages have begun to successfully clean up debris, and the canker sore starts to heal. The pain level decreases and, for most people, the mouth ulcer is healed within one week.
Your canker sore needs to be kept in a low acidity and clean environment to prevent a secondary infection during this time. You need to continue to brush your teeth diligently and use an effective mouthwash. However, you don't want to brush directly at your canker sore as it can worsen it and delay healing.
If your canker sore increases in size, and does not heal within 2 weeks, you may want to explore other causes of oral ulcer and it is advisable to seek medical advice.
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