Medical Definition of ODONTOLOGY. 1. : a science dealing with the teeth, their structure and development, and their diseases.2. : forensic odontology. â odonÂ·toÂ·logÂ·iÂ·cal \-Ëdaent-ËdÃ¤nt-Él-Ëaej-ËÃ¤j\ i. kÉl adjective. : a science dealing with the teeth, their structure and development, and their diseases. 2. : forensic odontology.
1 See a doctor if canker sores are accompanied by fever, last more than three weeks, or the affected individual has difficulty swallowing.  Multiple factors may cause canker sores, including injury to the mouth, acidic or spicy foods, vitamin deficiencies, hormones, stress, or autoimmune disorders.
Multiple ulcers are scattered across the lining of the mouth, not clustered. Most people get one to three of these lesions at each episode, but a small number of people get more than a dozen ulcers at a time. The cause of canker sores is not known, but most theories involve an immune abnormality. Certain blood diseases, vitamin and mineral deficiencies, allergies, trauma and Crohn's disease cause similar ulcers. Canker sores are often confused with cold sores, which are caused by a herpes virus.