It is possible to get canker sores on the inside of your lips, cheeks, or mouth. They are small, white sores. Most of the time, they are more of a bother than a health risk. Canker spots usually go away on their own in one to two weeks, but the pain they cause can make it hard to do normal things like eating, drinking, and taking care of your teeth at home.
The best way to get rid of canker sores
Canker sores are treated by reducing the pain and, if possible, the length of time the sore lasts. Our dentist, Dr. David Yu, has a treatment that can help with canker sore pain right away. Putting the liquid pain reliever Debacterol on your sore can cut down on the pain by about 90% in just 30 seconds. Chlorhexidine or magic mouthwash can also help the sore heal faster.
You could try the following if you can’t make it to the office:
- Do not use your toothbrush to touch it.
- Stay away from foods that will make your canker sore worse, like those that are crunchy, dry, hot, or acidic. Mostly tomato and lemon.
- If you have braces, put wax on the clips next to the sore to keep them from rubbing. If you keep getting sores and pain from your braces or dentures, your dentist might be able to make the right change to fix the problem.
- Stay away from toothpaste that has sodium lauryl sulfate. This element might be too strong for you.
How to ease the pain of a canker sore
- Use saltwater to gargle. Add about 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of salt to 8 ounces of warm water. One sip of water should be about 2 to 3 ounces. Swish it around in your mouth for 20 to 30 seconds and then spit it out. Do it again and again until there is no more water.
- You might want to use a local anesthetic. You can put something on the canker sore, like Orajel, to numb it and get some short-term relief. Because these items have benzocaine in them, please read all the warnings before using them.
- Take over-the-counter painkillers, such as ibuprofen.
If your canker sore doesn’t heal in a few weeks or hurts so much that you can’t eat or drink, you should see a dentist for more canker sore treatment.
What makes canker spots happen?
To avoid getting canker spots, stay away from the things that make them happen. These things often cause canker sores:
- Drawing on paper and putting it in your mouth
- Having your nails bit off
- Having braces or biting the inside of your cheek Putting stress
- Changes in hormones
- Using Drugs and Smoking
- Not getting enough vitamins or minerals
If you get canker sores a lot, your dentist may suggest that you see your primary care doctor to rule out a vitamin or mineral shortage.
Please call us to set up your visit at Bright Value Dental with Dr. David Yu and get your dental treatment done right at the best value!