By definition, a canker sore is a small white/yellow lesion that appears on the soft tissue inside of your mouth. It appears on the gums, under the tongue, or on the inside of the cheeks
Most of our patients have experienced a canker sore at some point during their lifetime. If you’re one of them, you know how uncomfortable and perhaps even painful they can be.
As they are a raised lesion, canker sores can make eating and talking painful. Unfortunately, the cause of canker sores is still unknown. From research, it appears that some people are just more prone to them than others. Statistically, females are more prone to them than males. Canker sores are NOT contagious, unlike cold sores. They do not appear on the lips or outside the mouth. Most times, canker sores clear up on their own, and no medical intervention is necessary.
According to Mayo Clinic, research suggests that several factors can contribute to canker sores.
- Stress
- Food allergies
- Celiac disease
- Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis
- A diet lacking in B-12 or Iron
While there are suggested ways to prevent a canker sore, none are 100% effective.
How Do You Get Rid Of A Canker Sore?
Here Are A Few Tips
- Rinse your mouth with saltwater – salt is one of the oldest natural remedies for cleansing a wound. While it may be painful, rinsing your mouth with warm salt water will help dry out canker sores.
- Rinse your mouth with baking soda – baking soda is an alkaline and neutralizes the acid of a canker sore. Additionally, baking soda kills the bacteria in the canker sore.
- Use hydrogen peroxide – hydrogen peroxide is an antiseptic and cleanses the wound while drying it out.
- Take echinacea – echinacea has immune-boosting properties and works to heal wounds from the inside out.
- Add in a B-12 supplement – one of the factors believed to be associated with canker sores is low vitamin B levels.
- Prescription mouthwash and over-the-counter medications are great options for extreme cases.
Canker sores are a drag. Eating and talking are some of our favorite things to do! Talk to Dr. Brady here at Ideal Image Dentistry & Spa. Our Mandan dental office has dental patients throughout the Bismarck area. if you’re suffering from canker sores, she will go over recommendations with you.
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