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 Canker sores torment millions of Americans. For some, they occur only occasionally. For other people, they are chronic, and cause constant pain and misery.
Scientists have yet to discover what actually causes canker sores. What has been discovered are certain triggers that appear to trigger outbreaks.
Canker sores hurt so much because the lining of the mouth is a moist environment, so the sore cannot dry out and scab over like sores on the hand. This causes sensitive nerve endings to be constantly irritated and inflamed by anything that food and drinks.
Mouth Injuries
Any blow to the mouth or accidental biting of the tongue, lip, or jaw can damage the mucus layer of the mouth and open the skin to irritants that can erupt into mouth ulcers. Other mouth injuries can be caused by brushing with a hard-bristle tooth brush, using poorly fitted dentures, or braces that rub against the inside of the cheek or gum.
Poor Nutrition
Deficiencies in iron, folic acid, and other B vitamins have been linked to canker sores. Improving one’s diet can often help reduce, or even in some cases, eliminate outbreaks.
Food Irritation
Some people appear to suffer outbreaks when they eat certain foods. This may be a type of allergy, although this has not been conclusively proven. What has been documented is a change in diet tends to dramatically decrease canker sore outbreaks.
Foods commonly reported to trigger outbreaks are mustard, nuts, chocolate, pineapple, and shellfish.
Toothpaste Containing SLS (sodium lauryl sulfate)
This is a common ingredient in many types of toothpaste which unfortunately appears to trigger canker sores in certain individuals. Switching to non-SLS toothpaste typically reduces the frequency of outbreaks.
Stress
Stress is one of those strange problematics that has all sorts of unpredictable and mysterious impacts on the human body. Stress affects all of us in different ways. One common affect it has on all humans is a weakening of the immune system. Studies have shown that people in this weakened state are much more likely to have canker sores than people who find ways to manage stress or eliminate it completely from their lives.
Canker Sores can be treated in a number of ways. There is no hard-fast cure, per se, available at this time. Some people have to try many different treatment options before they find the one which works for them. It is best to consult with a dentist fist, because in most instances the dentist can help the patient choose the right option the first time.
Corticosteroids
These are prescription gels or creams that reduce the inflammation caused by canker sores. Ask your dentist if one of these compounds would work for you.
Anti-bacterial mouthwashes
There are not that many mouthwashes that can truly fight bacteria. Many of the ones that do kill bacteria also stain the teeth. It is best to Ask the Dentist which mouthwash to use.
Analgesic Gels
The active ingredients of benzocaine or Diphennhydramine HCL can relieve the pain of canker sores and even, in some cases, form a protective coating over the ulcers. Some of these pain relievers are available over the counter, and others require a prescription.
Home Remedies
While medical professionals are always hesitant to stand by home remedies as sure-fire treatment options, there is plenty of evidence that many of them do help a considerable number of people to at least a certain extent.
The two most effective home remedies of canker sores are saltwater rinses and herbal tea rinses. Again, there is no proof these remedies actually work, but they are certainly not harmful, and if experience proves them effective for the individual, why not use them?
Most canker sores take about two weeks to heal. People who experience outbreaks for longer periods of time need to see a dentist as soon as possible.
Cosmetic Dentistry is a specialized field that requires extensive knowledge and experience to be done correctly. The Medical Center Dental Group in Houston, Texas brings all of that and more to the direct benefit of each and every patient we treat. Although we are located in the world famous Houston Medical Center at Scurlock Towers, we routinely see dental patients who travel from Austin, San Antonio, Dallas, Beaumont and Midland Texas to see Dr Dale Brant, Dr. Charles Campbell or Dr. Elizabeth O’Sullivan-Winslow for their cosmetic denistry services.
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