Sometimes called aphthous ulcers, canker sores are shallow sores or lesions that develop inside the mouth. They shouldn’t be confused with cold sores as canker sores develop inside your mouth and are not contagious. However, a canker sore in Newcastle can be very painful, making it difficult for you to eat and drink comfortably. Most clear up without treatment within a week or two. If your canker sores last longer than a couple of weeks or so, it’s always worth contacting West Bowmanville Family Dental for more advice.
Recognizing a Canker Sore
Most are oval or round with a red border, while the centre is white or yellow. They can develop inside your lips or cheeks, or under your tongue, on your gums or soft palate. In the day or two before, you may notice a burning or tingling sensation. The most common type of canker sores are minor canker sores. These are usually oval-shaped with a red border and are quite small, and heal without leaving a scar in a week or two. Major canker sores develop less frequently but are deeper and larger and are usually round. They can be very painful and may take six weeks to heal, leaving behind a scar. Herpetiform canker sores usually affect older people. These canker sores often develop in clusters but may merge into one larger ulcer. They usually heal within a week or two without leaving behind a scar.
What Causes Canker Sores?
It’s not clear what causes canker sores, but it could be due to brushing your teeth too vigorously. Some people find that toothpaste or mouthwash containing sodium laurel sulphate can trigger an attack. Others have food sensitivities to nuts, cheese, coffee, chocolate, strawberries or eggs, or very acidic or spicy foods. You could be more prone to developing canker sores if your diet doesn’t provide enough iron, folate, vitamin B12 or zinc. An allergic reaction to specific bacteria in your mouth could cause canker sores. Your risk also increases if you are under a lot of emotional stress. Usually, canker sores occur more frequently in teenagers and young adults, and women tend to develop them more frequently than men. People who develop canker sores regularly may have a family history of this issue, which may be due to a hereditary factor such as sensitivity to a certain food or allergen.
When to See a Dentist for Canker Sores?
If your canker sore isn’t healing, contact your Bowmanville dentist. Get in touch with us if a canker sore is causing extreme pain or if you cannot drink enough fluids. Sometimes canker sores are accompanied by a high fever.
When you see us, we can examine your mouth, review your medical history, and discuss suitable treatments to help you feel more comfortable. Various oral medications can help, or a mouth rinse that contains a painkiller or steroid may be useful in treating your canker sores. Another option is laser dentistry in Clarington. The dental laser is used to cauterize the canker sore, or there are chemical solutions that can also cauterize these sores.
If you want to treat your mouth ulcer at home, you can buy over-the-counter products or use a mouth rinse made from baking soda dissolved in warm water. Alternatively, try dabbing the canker sore with a little milk of magnesia.
Can I Prevent Canker Sores?
It may not be possible to prevent canker sores, but you may reduce their frequency by avoiding foods that could irritate your mouth, such as anything very spicy or acidic. Brushing your teeth after every meal will remove foods that could trigger an attack.
