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Canker sores and your oral health questions and answers

December 4, 2019

Canker sores and your oral health questions and answers

Everyone suffers from canker sore once in a while. Canker sores can be painful with a stinging or burning sensation. Below are common questions often asked about canker sores.

What are canker sores?

Canker sores often affect the soft parts of the mouth. Canker sores are tiny ulcers that can appear inside the cheeks, lips, tongue, or gums. When canker sores appear, they will look white or yellow surrounded by a red oval ring. Before a canker sore erupts, you might feel a bump around the area or a tingling sensation. In most cases, medication is not necessarily needed to treat canker sores.

Are canker sores and cold sores the same?

No. Canker sores are not the same as cold sores. Cold sores are cause by the herpes simplex virus. Cold sores are contagious and can spread to others. On the other hand, canker sores are not contagious and the cause of canker sores is not well known. Canker sores can be trigger by stress, irritants such as toothpaste, foods, malnourishment, or allergic reaction.

How long does a canker sore last?

A canker sore will heal by itself. Generally, a canker sore will take about two weeks to heal but some conditions may last longer. During this time, you should refrain from irritating it by picking on it or touching it. If the canker sore does not heal and starts to spread, you should see your health provider immediately. This could be an indication of other health concerns.

Is there medication I can take to cure canker sores?

To date, there is no medication that can cure canker sores. However, pain medications can be taken to reduce mouth pain cause by canker sores. Over the counter medications such as aspirin or ibuprofen can help relieve the pain. Topical analgesic gels can also help relieve the pain. Certain mouthwashes and oral medication can also help relieve painful canker sore discomfort. Canker sores can be very painful when eating and talking. Avoid eating foods that are spicy, sour, or hard can reduce pain. These types of foods can irritate the canker causing pain or bleeding of the ulcer is cut.

Should I see a dentist about canker sores?

If you persistently get canker sores, you should consider seeing a dentist. In some cases, persistent cankers may be cause by an underlying health issue that you might not be aware of. Your dentist can help diagnosis the problem and prescribe oral medication to help remedy the canker sore.

Should I brush my teeth if I have a canker sore?

Yes. You should continue to brush your teeth and maintain good oral hygiene. Good oral hygiene will prevent other dental problems. Not brushing can lead to the accumulation of plaque and bacteria that can lead to cavities and gum diseases. To minimize canker sore irritation, you should use a soft bristle tooth brush and gently brush around the canker sore. The soft bristle will not irritate the canker sore as much as a hard bristle tooth brush. Generally, a clean mouth will promote faster healing.

If canker sores are preventing you from practicing good oral hygiene, consider making an appointment with California Dental Group by calling (800) 407-0161. Our healthcare professionals can help.

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