Canker sores and mouth ulcers can be a real pain. As well as causing you pain and discomfort, they can also make it difficult to eat and drink, depending on their severity. Anyone can get canker sores, but they are often more likely among people who wear dentures or braces. If you’ve got a canker sore or just want to be prepared for the next time it happens, then read on for some tips on treating them yourself.

What causes canker sores?

Canker sores can sometimes appear randomly with no obvious cause, but there are a few known causes or triggers. What you eat can make a difference. Acidic foods and drinks, for example, can make canker sores more likely to occur. They can also appear as a result of trauma or abrasion, such as accidentally biting the inside of your cheek, or ill-fitting dentures or braces rubbing against your mouth and gums.

What you can do

For the most part, canker sores will go down and eventually disappear on their own, but there are some things you can do to help with this and to relieve any pain.

• Apply a topical cream – A topical cream or gel can help to relieve the pain and speed up the healing process.
• Mouth rinses – Rinsing your mouth with a solution of salt water and baking soda can also help to relieve pain and boost healing, or you can get specific mouth rinses prescribed to you or bought over the counter to help treat your canker sore.
• Apply ice – Sucking on ice and applying ice directly to the canker sore can help to numb the area while it is healing, helping to relieve your pain.
• Avoid certain foods – Some food can irritate a canker sore and worsen your pain, so you should try to avoid these until the sore has fully healed. Anything that’s spicy, salty, or acidic, like citrus fruits, should be avoided.

When to see your dentist about canker sores

Although canker sores mostly heal on their own without professional treatment, there are certain situations where you should see the dentist about your canker sore. If they are extremely painful, then a dentist can recommend prescriptions that will help with your pain and the treatment of the sores. You should also see your dentist or doctor if you frequently get canker sores, to determine if there is an underlying health condition causing them. You should also seek treatment if your sores are preventing you from eating a proper diet.

If you need diagnosis or treatment for a canker sore, then visit Dr Barabe, your family dentist in Advance, NC. Get in touch to book an appointment.