No one looks forward to dealing with the occasional canker sore, but this is a part of life for many of us. Our Novato dentists have put together some helpful information about dealing with canker sores, and promoting a healthy (and comfortable!) mouth. Keep reading to learn more…
Signs And Symptoms
Canker sores generally develop as small lesions on the soft tissues of your mouth and cheeks. They are usually well-defined, and some shade of white or yellow.
Before your canker sore appears, you may notice a burning or tingling sensation in the spot where the sore is developing. Tingling and burning sensations can persist for the life of your canker sore.
Root Causes
Canker sores are caused by dental trauma/injury as well as allergies and food sensitivities. Many people confuse canker sores with cold sores, but they are quite different. Cold sores are the result of HSV-1, while canker sores are simply the result of tissue damage and irritation.
Some patients find that they develop more canker sores during times of stress or hormone fluctuation.
Treatment Options
Canker sores usually heal and resolve on their own within two weeks. During this time, you want to keep your mouth as clean as possible, but try not to irritate the sore with aggressive or abrasive brushing/cleaning.
For short-term relief look for over-the-counter products that contain:
- Benzocaine
- Fluocinonide
- Hydrogen Peroxide
If your canker sore does not seem to be healing within a week or two, please contact your dental team for further guidance and treatment. There are prescription products available to facilitate tissue healing, including oral steroids, if necessary.
If you are interested in receiving more information about canker for canker sores, our Novato dentists are here to answer your questions. Give our team a call or use the Contact Us page on our website to get started!