Canker Sores and You

Oral health, it turns out, isn’t just about your teeth and gums. You’ve also got a tongue as well as the tissue on the inside of your cheek. That inside cheek tissue can present you with little painful spots known as canker sores. Canker sores are likely not serious but they can impact your quality of life particularly when it comes to eating and speaking. These small lesions are also known as apthous ulcers and while they’re commonly more of an annoyance than a problem, it’s good for you to know why you get them and what you can do.rnLet’s clear one thing up: the difference between a canker sore and a cold sore. Cold sores are highly contagious usually through contact with someone who has them. Canker sores are an individual malady. Cold sores are on the outside of your mouth but canker sores are on the inside. (While cold sores are a form of herpes, they shouldn’t be met with any kind of shame. Most people acquire the virus before the age of 10 through kissing or sharing a glass or cup. The flare-ups are often brought on by stress or a cold.)rnCanker sores can be brought on by some type of trauma like biting your cheek or brushing your teeth too hard. You may also be genetically inclined toward them or be suffering from a weakened immune system. Cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy are at risk for canker sores as are people who eat foods to which they’re allergic. Stress is also a factor as well as possible nutritional deficiencies. Finally, those with orthodontia may get them due to the rubbing of the bands and braces against the inside cheek. rnThere’s no reliable cure for canker sores but they can be eased through your diet. Take a break from spicy or hot foods while you have one. Do you like salty, crunchy chips? Give those a rest too. Anything high in acid will likely aggravate your canker sore as well. rnYou can even use pain medication if it becomes too intense. Others get relief from topical anesthetics that also form a cover over the sore. rnShould you see a dentist about your canker sore? If it grows in size, yes, and also if it lasts longer than a week. Your dentist can actually prescribe an anti-microbial rinse to help get rid of it. If you’d like to ask a dentist about canker sores, check out: https://www.dentaloptimizer.com/ask-a-dentist/