What’s with canker sores?
That painful stab in your mouth doesn’t feel like a toothache but it hurts like crazy. It could be a canker sore. But what is it? What causes it? More importantly, how can you prevent it from happening again?
Canker sores are generally small and can be identified by a red spot with a white head on it. You can find them on the roof of your mouth, the inside of your lips and cheeks, on or under your tongue. The exact cause of canker sores is not quite identified, but there are many things that can trigger them. Cuts and burns, stress and high-acid foods are known culprits.
The best way to prevent canker sores is to avoid such foods, and try to reduce stress. But there is no permanent cure for cankers.
Consult your doctor if you experience:
- Unusually large canker sores
- Recurring sores, with new ones developing before old ones heal, or frequent outbreaks
- Persistent sores, lasting two weeks or more
- Sores that extend into the lips themselves (vermilion border)
- Pain that you can’t control with self-care measures
- Extreme difficulty eating or drinking
- High fever along with canker sores
As far as treatments, there are many over-the-counter medications that can help ease your discomfort. If the problem persists longer than a week, the sores become larger or you have difficulty eating, make an appointment and we’ll be happy to advise you on alternative treatments.
If you have any questions or concerns, please make an appointment today.
