Have you ever had a canker sore? If so, you know that canker sores can be painful and bothersome, especially in children. Canker sores are non-contagious lesions that appear in the mouth on gums, lips, cheeks, even the roof of the mouth. It’s hard to pinpoint the cause of canker sores but here are a few of the possible reasons you may be experiencing this troublesome pain in the mouth!
Irritation from braces, hard tooth brushing and biting the inside of the mouth
- Increase in stress level
- Bacterial infections
- Imbalanced nutrition
- Vitamin deficiency
- Compromised immune system
- Allergies and food allergies
No one can avoid canker sores all together, so if one develops in your mouth here is a few ways to reduce the pain and discomfort or a canker sore. Try applying a baking soda and water paste to the sore area and rinsing with salt water. Taking a daily dose of Vitamin B12 can reduce the frequency and duration of canker sores. Topical over the counter products like Orajel and similar products can temporarily reduce pain. Using an antiseptic mouth wash can help prevent sores from developing. Finding ways to help reduce stress in your life can be helpful to avoid chronic canker sores, even exercising may help!
For some people certain food can trigger canker sores. Eating hot and spicy foods can irritate and inflame canker sores. Sometimes an ingredient found in certain toothpastes called SLS can irritate canker sores as well.
If you choose, you can just leave it alone, as most canker sores heal and disappear in about one week. If you have a canker sore that is not going away and seeming to linger, contact your dentist right away. An irritating sore that lasts for longer than a week or two could be a sign of a more serious condition.
