Canker Sores – In The Mind of a Former Dipper
If you’ve ever dealt with canker sores you know just how painful and scary they can be. I’ve been quit now for over 5 years 17 years. Unfortunately it took me over 17 years to smarten up to the point where I made my decision and actually quit dipping. These days it’s very rare that I even think about dipping other than when I’m posting roll on Discord or the forums. And those thoughts are nothing more than a passing memory of my time as a dipper.
I’ve said time and time again that I was/am one of the biggest hypochondriacs that you’ll ever run into. Many times early in my quit I was absolutely sure that cancer had finally won the battle. Last week was one of those times. I’m just now getting over a nasty canker sore in my mouth. Coincidentally in one of the spots where I used to keep my Kodiak. So even though I’ve been quit for over 5 years now when I get a sore in my mouth such as a canker sore, my mind immediately goes to the worst possible place: cancer.
I suppose that this is my penance for being such a dumb ass for so many years. I don’t think I’ll ever really feel at peace but what this latest episode did do was once again revitalize my quit. I’m quit. Pure and simple. I’ve done the best thing that I can do for my health: I’ve quit chewing tobacco. And I’m much better off for it.
Canker Sores – What Are They?
That said, I did some research about canker sores during my last scare. Here are a couple of items that you may find interesting:
- Simple canker sores may appear 3 or 4 times per year and last up to a week. They typically affect people between 10 and 20 years old. While we really don’t know what brings them on there are some things that we THINK cause them including: stress, certain acidic foods (lemons, oranges, tomatoes, etc.) or “mouth trauma” such as from chewing on ice, a sharp tortilla chip, etc.
- Complex canker sores are less common and typically affect people who have had them before. This typically is due to a vitamin (B-12), zinc, folic acid or iron deficiency.
- Cold sores are NOT canker sores. Cold sores typically are found outside the mouth rather than inside.
Symptoms of canker sores:
- They hurt… like a son of a bitch.
- Inside the mouth, on the tongue, inside the cheek. As you know, this is prime area for former dippers. Damn.
- Round, white or gray in color, with a red edge or ring around them.
For additional information on canker sores check out these links:
Anyone ever have one that doesn’t hurt? What’s up with that
Mist likely a clogged salivatory gland. You mouth has tiny glands all over the place and sometimes a tiny gland will get clogged, causing a painless hard little bump. It might be white in color, or clear. Usually lasts a few days.
I’m nervous as well, I’ve quit over a week ago after 6 years of dipping. I have a canker sore under my tongue on the opposit side of where I used to dip. Been paranoid as well.
great article and thanks. I’m a current dipper but I’m seriously considering quitting or laying off for a long time. I got what I think is a canker sore but I’m little freaked because like you its right where I dip. It’s only been about 3 days, but it just recently turned a little darker. I want to think it’s turning that gray right before healing, can’t be sure. Its not too painful, but I can feel it, especially when its touched.
Gabe, I would strongly encourage you to join KTC. Check it out. -Bretn37
@Jeremy – Thanks for stopping by. Will shoot you an email as well, but if you haven’t yet I’d strongly urge you to join our forums at http://forum.killthecan.org. There are over 10,000 members who know what you’re dealing with. It’s the best place on the web (IMHO) to get answers and talk with folks who truly understand.
Hey man email me I look at my mouth everyday in the mirror I always think I have cancer from formerly dipping I just started again but am quitting again I need to talk to someone that shares this mind battle Jhampton899(AT)gmail.com
Good info Chewie. I was, and still am, the same way when it comes to any pain or sore in my mouth. 30 days after I quit I started getting canker sores and was freaking out, but they went away. In addition to that my jaw, gums & neck were hurting close to 80 days after I quit. I was convinced I had oral cancer and went to see my dentist and doctor. They checked me out and said there was no visible damage or problems. That really set my mind at ease, but any time I feel a pain in my mouth I get a little worried. Don’t sweat the canker sores everyone, but know what the early signs of cancer look like, just in case. Better safe than sorry. Get checked out.