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.
Unlike cold sores, a canker sore is not caused by a virus and is not considered contagious. Scientists think that that the immune system causes canker sores to form in response to stress, injury in the mouth, acidic foods, hormones, nutritional deficiencies and other triggers.