If you are dealing with the inconvenience and discomfort of canker sores, our O’Fallon dentists are here to help. Today we’re going to be talking about how and why these sores develop, as well as steps you can take to care for your smile. Let’s get started!
Signs And Symptoms
A canker sore often looks like a small bump or pimple that develops on your oral tissues. You may find canker sores around your tongue, on the inside of your cheek, and on the soft palate of your mouth.
Most canker sores are white or yellow in color, and they may be surrounded by a ring of red tissue. Additionally, you may notice that area around your canker sore feels warm, itchy, or tingly. This is normal, and should abate as the sore heals.
If a canker sore sustains additional damage or irritation, you’ll likely notice that it breaks open and even weeps fluid for a period of time.
Root Causes
Unlike cold sores, which are caused by HSV-1, canker sores are simply the result of an injury to your oral tissues. Irritated oral tissue around small cuts or scrapes will develop canker sores as an inflammation response.
These sores are not contagious; some people report increased instances of canker sore development when they are stressed or hormonal.
Treatment Options
As your oral tissues heal, your canker sores will usually resolve on their own, without specific intervention. In order to promote healing, you want to try to leave the sore alone, and keep your mouth as clean as you can.
There are also topical solutions that you can utilize to minimize discomfort as you wait for your canker sore to heal. Look for formulations that contain any of these effective ingredients…
- Benzocaine
- Fluocinonide
- Hydrogen Peroxide
If, after two weeks, your canker sore does not seem to be healing, you’ll want to reach out to your dental team for additional guidance and support. There are prescription products that are designed to jump-start healing, but these are rarely necessary.
Canker sores are never fun, but in most cases, they’re don’t necessitate serious restorative treatment. Please know that you can always call our O’Fallon dentists to learn more about caring for your smile through any dental injury. We look forward to speaking with you!