Canker sores can be quite a nuisance. When you have a canker sore, your gums, the inside of your cheek, the roof of your mouth, or your lips may become sore and swollen. It may even be difficult for you to eat. Your dentist may be able to help you with your canker sore issues.
What Is a Canker Sore?
Canker sores are mouth ulcers. Unlike fever blisters or cold sores, canker sores are not caused by a virus, and they are not contagious. They are shallow sores, usually bright red with a white top or cap. Scientists are not quite sure what causes canker sores, but they do know canker sores can begin as a small cut inside your mouth. Doctors think stress, age (under 30), and gender (female) may increase your chances of getting canker sores. Canker sores are fairly common. According to the Cleveland Clinic, 20 percent of all adults in the United States have suffered from canker sores at one time or another.
Treatment Of Canker Sores
There are several ways you can treat your canker sores. First, you may want to try home remedies. Rinse your mouth with either a saltwater rinse or a baking soda rinse. To make the rinse, dissolve a teaspoon of salt into a cup of water. Baking soda will work as well if you do not want to use salt. If you decide to try the rinse, be warned that it may be uncomfortable to do at first, but it should help your canker sores heal. Both baking soda and salt rid your mouth of acids that make canker sores worse.
If you do not want to try the saltwater rinse, you can try other rinses, such as milk of magnesia, medicated mouthwash, or aloe vera gel. If you decide to try a rinse, you may want to put ice directly on your canker for a few minutes to deaden the nerves.
What if your canker sores will not go away or are very painful? It is time to visit our dentist for an evaluation.
Randolph Center for Dental Excellence Dr. Bryan Freeman and Dr. Cheryl Freeman
Dental Blog | Dentist Asheboro, NC | Randolph Center for Dental Excellence Drs. Bryan Freeman & Cheryl Freeman are offering this educational blog as a resource to the great Asheboro, NC community. Click here to read our latest posts! Randolph Center for Dental Excellence, 134 Davis Street, Asheboro, NC 27203, (336) 444-2772, freemandds.com, 12/7/2024, Tags: dentist Asheboro NC,
Canker sores can be quite a nuisance. When you have a canker sore, your gums, the inside of your cheek, the roof of your mouth, or your lips may become sore and swollen. It may even be difficult for you to eat. Your dentist may be able to help you with your canker sore issues.