Canker sores, many people have had to deal with them. We know what it is and yet we don’t really know what it is. This does not alter the fact that, if you suffer from it, it can be quite painful. We know that canker sores often disappear after some time, but in many cases we have too little knowledge of how to prevent them or at least how to treat them properly.
Canker sores in the mouth, what is it actually?
Canker sores are actually small blisters or sores in the mouth. Anyone can get canker sores, it is not age or culture related.
They often have a diameter of two to four millimeters and look like grayish-white or slightly yellowish spots (or think of a ripened pimple). The border around it is red and that gives that ignition idea. Canker sores cause a stabbing pain, especially with hot or acidic food. In some cases you can feel them coming, just as many people also feel a pimple coming on.
You can get canker sores in different places, namely:
- On the inside of the lip.
- On the edge or underside of the tongue.
- On the inside of the cheeks.
- Behind the palate and uvula.
- On the gums.
Causes of canker sores
It is not entirely certain, but canker sores often arise in the following situations:
- If you have reduced resistance.
- If your oral hygiene leaves much to be desired.
- If you have a chronic illness (which can reduce your overall fitness).
- If you suffer from stress.
- If you cannot tolerate certain foods.
It is a misunderstanding that it has to do with a vitamin deficiency. You can even get them by biting your tongue or cheek, if you have an annoying ridge along a tooth or you wear dentures that don’t fit properly.
How long has it bothered you?
The duration that you have the canker sores in your mouth partly depends on their size. Major canker sores can easily be “on their way” for a week or two (from the irritated skin to the large white head at the site of inflammation), but a small one can disappear again in a day or two.
Solve or prevent
It is best to leave the canker sores in the mouth and not to touch them. They should go away on their own and usually do. If the blisters are deliberately destroyed, the complaints can actually become worse.
Make sure you live a healthy lifestyle, your oral hygiene is up to standard and you eat in peace, then there is a greater chance that the canker sores will disappear from your mouth quickly.
When to take action?
If you apply all precautions and it is about two weeks later without anything being resolved, it is a good idea to consult your doctor. If it has something to do with the teeth, consult your dentist.
Usable resources
Strictly speaking, there is no cure that solves everything. However, there are some resources that people can benefit from. Consider:
- Special toothpaste such as toothpaste with enzymes.
- Disinfectant mouthwash containing chlorhexidine*.
- Rinse the mouth several times a day with: berry juice or calendula decoction or saline solution in water.
- Apply spotting fluid to it, this will at least relieve the pain.
* This is a disinfectant that can reduce the number of bacteria in the mouth.
Dangerous?
Canker sores can be extremely painful and this pain can last for days, but they are never actually dangerous to humans. If you also have a high fever in addition to canker sores, you may have an infectious disease. In that case, contact your dentist quickly.
Finally
Canker sores are not dangerous, but they are very difficult, inconvenient when eating and almost always painful. Make sure you can determine the cause, which will greatly simplify the process of permanently removing the canker sores from your mouth.
