A painful sore in the mouth isn’t just uncomfortable—it can also be alarming. Chances are a sore or painful bump isn’t too serious; for example, it could be a common canker sore. On the other hand, it could also be an area of infection known as an abscess. Canker sore vs. abscess: What’s the difference? A canker sore should go away on its own, but you or your child will need treatment for an abscess.

What Is a Canker Sore?

A canker sore is a small but painful sore in the mouth or throat. They are also called recurrent aphthous stomatitis. Canker sores tend to first appear in childhood and recur regularly.

Symptoms of Canker Sores

Canker sore stages of development usually begin with a tingling or painful feeling before there are any visible signs. The area then becomes red and swollen. After one to three days, it develops into a whitish spot. The pain should lessen or go away in a few days, and all signs should resolve within a week or two.

The inside of the mouth is the most typical location for canker sores. A canker sore in the throat or even on the tonsil is also possible.

What Causes Canker Sores?

There is no definitive, known cause of canker sores. Some people are more prone to them, and they seem to run in families. Some factors might increase the risk of developing canker sores:

• Stress
• Hormone changes
• A weakened immune system
• Iron or vitamin B deficiencies
• Mouth injuries

How Are Canker Sores Treated?

Canker sores typically resolve in a few days or a couple of weeks. Over-the-counter treatments to numb the area or reduce inflammation can help manage the pain.

What Is a Dental Abscess?

An abscess is a pus-filled bump that forms as a result of a bacterial infection. Periapical (tooth) abscesses form at the roots of teeth. Periodontal (gum) abscesses form on the gums. An abscess must be treated in a dental office. It will not go away on its own.

Symptoms of Abscesses

Abscesses cause significant pain. The pain can be in a tooth, in the gums, or all around the jaw, face, or neck. The tooth affected by an abscess may feel loose and tender and be sensitive to heat or cold. Other possible symptoms include:

• Swelling around a tooth, in the gums, or in the face
• Redness in the mouth
• Bleeding in the gums
• Loss of appetite
• General feeling of unwell
• Fever

What Causes Abscesses?

Tooth abscesses are more common in children and often result from poor dental hygiene. Untreated cavities expose the pulp in the tooth to bacteria, which can lead to a painful infection.

Gum abscesses are more common in adults. They often develop as a complication of gum disease. Gum disease causes teeth to loosen, exposing pockets in the gums that introduce bacteria and infection.

How Are Abscesses Treated?

An abscess must be treated by a dentist or specialist. They first drain the abscess and then clean it thoroughly. If it is a tooth abscess, they will remove some of the pulp. Depending on the severity of the infection, they might remove the tooth.

How to Know if You Have a Tooth Abscess or a Canker Sore

It’s easy to miss some early signs leading to an abscess, but once you have one, it becomes obvious. A gum abscess looks like a pimple. It forms a small white lump on the gums.

Both types of abscesses cause a lot of pain, more than a canker sore does. An abscess can trigger pain across the jaw and face, and it can make eating difficult or impossible. In other words, an abscess is very painful and disruptive to your daily life. A canker sore causes much less severe pain that resolves on its own.

When to See a Dentist

If you have any type of painful sore in your mouth that you cannot identify or that doesn’t heal, see your dentist. They can diagnose it and provide treatment if needed. An abscess is serious and should be treated right away, so don’t hesitate to reach out.

Contact Newtown Dentistry today if you have more questions or to schedule an appointment to have your or your child’s mouth sore checked out.