Preparing for an appointment

Your doctor or dentist can diagnose a canker sore based on its appearance. Here's some information to help you get ready for your appointment.

Information to gather

Before your appointment make a list of:

• Your symptoms, including when they first started and how they may have changed or worsened over time
• All your medications, including over-the-counter medications, vitamins or other supplements, and their doses
• Any other medical conditions, to see if any relate to your symptoms
• Key personal information, including any recent changes or emotional stressors in your life
• Questions to ask your doctor or dentist to make your visit more efficient

Here are some basic questions to ask:

• Do I have a canker sore?
• If so, what factors may have contributed to its development? If not, what else could it be?
• Do I need any tests?
• What treatment approach do you recommend, if any?
• What self-care steps can I take to ease my symptoms?
• Is there anything I can do to speed up healing?
• How soon do you expect my symptoms will improve?
• Is there anything I can do to help prevent a recurrence?

Don't hesitate to ask any other questions during your appointment.

What to expect from your doctor or dentist

Be ready to answer questions from your doctor or dentist, such as:

• What are your symptoms?
• When did you first notice these symptoms?
• How severe is your pain?
• Have you had similar sores in the past? If so, have you noticed if anything in particular seemed to trigger them?
• Have you been treated for similar sores in the past? If so, what treatment was most effective?
• Have you had any recent dental work?
• Have you recently experienced significant stress or major life changes?
• What is your typical daily diet?
• Have you been diagnosed with any other medical conditions?
• What medications are you taking, including prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, herbs and other supplements?
• Do you have a family history of canker sores?