Canker sores are very common but can cause a week or two of discomfort. They are small, shallow ulcers that form inside the mouth, on the soft tissues like the cheeks, lips or gums. Canker sores in Newcastle should not be confused with cold sores. Unlike cold sores, canker sores are not contagious.
What Causes Canker Sores?
It is hard to identify the reason why some people develop canker sores. However, they can be due to an injury to the mouth. Sometimes they are triggered by eating certain acidic fruits and vegetables or taking medications. Canker sores can develop because of vitamin or mineral deficiencies and are more likely to occur in people with autoimmune disorders. They can also be due to stress or hormonal changes.
Can I Treat Canker Sores at Home?
There are several home remedies you could try. For example, you can make a homemade mouth rinse by dissolving a teaspoon of salt or baking soda in warm water and using it to gargle for 30 seconds or so. The mouth rinse helps reduce acidity levels in your mouth, making it easier to heal.
Another trick to try is to dab a little milk of magnesia onto canker sores a couple of times a day to decrease pain and speed up healing. Some people find it useful to rinse their mouth with aloe vera juice as it has anti-inflammatory properties. Hydrogen peroxide is an antiseptic that helps eliminate bacteria, making it easier for your mouth to heal quickly. You can mix equal parts 3% hydrogen peroxide with water and apply it directly to the canker sores using a cotton pad, but be sure not to swallow this mixture.
Otherwise, plenty of over-the-counter products, including gels, liquids and creams, contain active ingredients and help accelerate healing. It is worth asking a pharmacist for advice.
It is important to continue cleaning your teeth thoroughly, even when you have canker sores, but brush them gently. You may find it useful to switch to a toothpaste that doesn’t contain sodium laurel sulphate, as some people are sensitive to this ingredient.
Do I Need to See a Dentist for a Canker Sore?
Usually, a canker sore will clear up without professional dental care. However, if you have a canker sore that is failing to heal, please get in touch with West Bowmanville Family Dental. We can help relieve the discomfort and, if necessary, prescribe something to relieve the pain and aid healing. You should also contact us if you develop any of the following symptoms:
- Severe pain
- A high fever
- Difficult eating or drinking
- Multiple canker sores
- Particularly large canker sores
Our dentists in Clarington in Clarington can gently examine your mouth as it is easy to diagnose canker sores during a visual exam. If necessary, we can prescribe something to help with the pain and discomfort and to help the canker sores heal more easily. We might prescribe a mouth rinse containing a steroid or other topical products containing active ingredients. Usually, this approach is very effective, but if you have particularly severe canker sores that do not respond easily to topical treatments, you may need oral medication. Very occasionally, steroids are needed, but these are only usually prescribed after other treatments have failed. Other options for treating canker sores include cauterization; for example, a topical solution can help to cauterize canker sores in Ajax and reduce healing times. If your canker sores are due to a nutritional deficiency, you might need to see your GP, who can prescribe a nutritional supplement if needed.
