Canker sores: Why they appear and how to prevent them

Seven in ten adults report having suffered from canker sores, small, painful ulcers inside the mouth that can significantly impact daily life. The lesions, which appear on the lips, cheeks, tongue, or oral mucosa, often stem from minor trauma, stress, or nutritional deficiencies like iron or vitamin B12. While 41% of adults wait for them to heal naturally, minor sores typically resolve within one to two weeks. Experts recommend using protective gels with hyaluronic acid to relieve discomfort, but advise consulting a professional if a sore is unusually large, persistent, or recurrent to rule out other causes.