Everyone dreads a nasty canker sore. Those irritating, tiny ulcers that often pop up on the inside of our mouth, on our lips, inner cheeks, gums, or on our tongue. Most of us experience canker sores, also called an aphthous ulcer, at one time or another. Some of us get them all of the time, but most of us just want to get rid of them just as quickly as we got them.
What Causes a Canker Sore?
The exact cause is not known, but we do know they are not spread through saliva and not contagious. They might be the result of accidentally biting your cheek, or from your braces catching the inside of your lip, but most just appear out of nowhere. A weak immune system can trigger canker sores. Some medications, stress, allergies and dehydration can trigger canker sores. Other triggers are toothpastes containing sodium lauryl sulfate, shifts in hormones, a lack of vitamin B-12 or iron, and even some spicy or highly acidic foods. There are some medical conditions that trigger canker sores and mouth ulcers such as Crohn’s disease and inflammatory bowel syndrome.
What Are The Symptoms For Canker Sores?
The usual canker sore, is oval or round and has a yellow or white middle surrounded with redness. In most cases, before the canker sore appears, you will notice a minor burning and tingling sensation.
What Are The Treatment Options for Canker Sores?
As a general rule of thumb, if a canker sore persists for over two weeks, is extraordinarily large, is causing drinking and eating difficulty, or causing a fever, you should consult Your Dental Office in Toronto, or Etobicoke. In most cases, no treatment is required, and the mouth ulcer will heal on its own, but there are some home remedies to hopefully help with pain and soreness:
- Applying oral, topical medication to the canker sore or mouth ulcer.
- Using ice chips in the mouth to relieve pain.
- Avoiding spicy foods and foods high in acid.
- Making sure to use the softest bristle of toothbrush when brushing.
- Using toothpaste without the ingredient sodium lauryl sulfate.
- Rinsing with salt water, mixing 1 teaspoon of salt with half a cup of water.
If constantly deal with canker sores or have a canker sore that has persisted longer than two weeks, visit Your Dental Office in Toronto, or Etobicoke. Contact us today to book an appointment and learn how to deal with canker sores.