Sometimes, despite our best efforts, small dental injuries and irritation, like canker sores, develop out of the blue. This short article from our Mill Valley dentists is designed to give you helpful information about dealing with canker sores, and appropriately caring for your smile. Let’s get started…
Signs And Symptoms
Canker sores are generally visible on the soft tissues of your mouth—like under your tongue and on the inside of your cheeks. They may appear white or yellow, with a red outline surrounding the lesion.
Some patients experience a tingling or burning sensation around canker sores. And, in fact, these sensations can predate your sore by a few days. Irritated sores may break open or weep, which is why it’s especially important to keep your mouth clean.
Root Causes
While cold sores are caused by the virus HSV-1, canker sores are simply an injury to your oral tissue. Maybe you brushed your mouth a little too aggressively, bit your cheek in your sleep, or suffered a dental trauma while playing sports. Whole-body health conditions, like Celiac disease, Chron’s disease, and HIV/AIDS increase your likelihood of developing canker sores.
Treatment Options
The good news is that canker sores usually resolve on their own within a week or two. In the meantime you want to facilitate healing by keeping the area clean and hydrated, and minimizing irritation to the sore.
There are over-the-counter products that can help sooth discomfort—look for formulations that contain Benzocaine, Fluocinonide, or Hydrogen Peroxide. Your dentist may recommend prescription products, including oral steroids, if your canker sore does not seem to be healing in an appropriate period of time.
If you find yourself dealing with dental injuries or canker sores, don’t panic! Our Mill Valley dentists are here to provide you with the information and care you need to heal your smile. You can always reach our team by calling our office, or by using the Contact Us page to submit a question.