My Life, Interrupted by a Canker Sore. | by Nourish With Success | Sep, 2025

If you’ve ever had a canker sore, you know how something so small can take over your life. Here’s my latest battle, what helps me cope, and a few tips in case you ever get stuck with one too.

My Week With Canker Sores

For just over a week, my whole routine has been hijacked by one tiny sore. It started on my left cheek and vanished as quickly as it appeared, so I thought I was in the clear.

But a few days later? A new one showed up under my back teeth — and that spot is pure torture. Even talking or smiling felt like too much.

At one point, I had to stop mid-conversation with my husband and run to the bathroom with my phone flashlight.

There it was — a tiny white flap on raw red tissue. Classic canker sore. Then another popped up. Two in two weeks. I couldn’t help but wonder: why me, and why now?

So… What Are Canker Sores?

Basically, they’re small, shallow ulcers that can pop up anywhere inside your mouth.

They’re not contagious like cold sores, but the pain? Completely out of proportion to their size.

Honestly, how can something smaller than a Tic Tac control an entire week of your life?

Most canker sores heal within one to two weeks. Some are minor annoyances, others more stubborn. Knowing this at least helped me prepare for the tough days.

Why Do They Show Up?

No one really knows for sure, but here are the usual suspects:

• Accidentally biting your cheek (I do this way too often)
• Stress or hormonal changes
• Foods that are spicy, acidic, salty, or just plain irritating
• Vitamin deficiencies like B12, iron, folate, or zinc
• Or… no reason at all. Which somehow feels like the most annoying answer.

Avoiding obvious triggers and keeping stress in check can help, but sometimes they just appear out of nowhere.

Why Do They Hurt So Much?

Your mouth is packed with nerve endings, and a canker sore basically exposes them. So every bite, every word, every smile — it’s like an unwanted jolt of pain. Under the back teeth is the absolute worst spot.

What Helps (At Least a Little)

They usually heal in a week or two, but until then, here’s what makes it bearable:

• Stick to soft foods like soups, smoothies, and pasta — basically toddler food.
• Rinse with salt water or baking soda to calm the sting.
• Numbing gels or rinses from the drugstore — lifesavers when you need to eat or talk.
• Brush gently with a soft toothbrush.

If a sore lasts more than two weeks, gets larger, or keeps coming back, it’s worth checking with a doctor or dentist.

The Everyday Struggle

This sore under my back teeth completely threw me off. I’ve been avoiding meals, talking less, and even asking my husband for breaks mid-conversation just to catch my breath from the pain.

Past sores were manageable. This one? It had me rethinking my entire week.

Quick Relief Recap

• Soft, bland foods
• Salt water or baking soda rinse
• Numbing gel or rinse
• Call the doctor if it lingers or keeps coming back

Final Thoughts

Canker sores may be small, but the way they derail your day is no joke. If you’ve had one, you know exactly how something so tiny can interrupt your whole life.

For now, I’m riding it out — soft foods, rinses, and patience — waiting for the day I can finally say my life is no longer on pause from a canker sore.

You’re not alone in this battle.