Dealing with canker sores is inconvenient, and it can be uncomfortable, but this is an exceedingly common occurrence among dental patients of many ages. This article from our Glendale dentist is all about canker sore development and treatment options. Keep reading to learn more…
Signs And Symptoms
Canker sores are small lesions that develop on soft oral tissues, like inside of your cheek, under your tongue, and on your soft palate. They usually appear a whitish or yellowish color, and they are often surrounded by a ring of red or inflamed tissue.
Canker sores can be uncomfortable, and if they are disturbed they may break open and weep. You may also notice a tingling, burning, or radiating sensation around your canker sore. In fact, these sensations are sometimes the first indications that a canker sore is developing in the first place.
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.
Our Glendale dentists are here to provide you with any additional information you may need about dealing with canker sores. You can always call our office, or use the Contact Us page on our site to get started!