What is a canker sore?
Canker sores (aphthous ulcers) develop as lesions in your mouth around the base of the gums, insides of the cheeks or on the tongue. They can be quite painful, but for the most part, are harmless and will disappear in a week or two. Most canker sores appear as round, white or yellow sores with a red border. Canker sores are not contagious.
What triggers canker sores?
It can be difficult to pinpoint the exact cause of a canker sore, but triggers include:
- Stress or lack of sleep
- Injury or trauma to the mouth
- Poor oral hygiene
- Abrasive toothpastes or mouth rinses
- Reaction to certain medications
- Sensitivities to acidic foods
- Lack of essential vitamins, especially B-12, zinc, folate, and iron
- Bacterial, viral, or fungal infections
- Dental braces
- Hormonal changes
How can I treat a canker sore at home?
Since most minor canker sores do not require visiting a dentist or general practitioner, we recommend self-treatment at home. The following treatments can help reduce pain, inflammation and healing time:
- Avoid spicy, salty and acidic foods until the sore has healed
- Drink plenty of fluids
- Regularly rinse your mouth out with warm salt water
- Apply an antiseptic gel
- Use toothpastes and mouthwash that do not contain sodium lauryl sulfate or alcohol
When should I visit my dentist?
Some canker sores may progress into larger or deeper sores that can take up to six weeks to heal. If you regularly get canker sores or your canker sore persists for more than three weeks, we recommend visiting your dentist oral medicine specialist. Not only can a medical professional help identify the possible underlying cause of the canker sore, but they can prescribe a topical steroid mouthwash or ointment that will alleviate pain and inflammation. If you are struggling with persistent canker sores, schedule an appointment with us at Country Club Dental Flagstaff.
Images used under creative commons license – commercial use (12/2/24). Photo by Jason Tuinstra on Unsplash
