Canker Sores Begone! 7 Tips for Quick Relief

Canker sores and painful and irritating. Although they generally heal without treatment, some remedies speed the process and alleviate discomfort. You can seek help from many home remedies for relief from the irritation caused by canker sores to help them heal. You can also use OTC gels, supplements, and mouth rinses.

The soft parts of your mouth, like your tongue, cheek insides and lips, are more prone to developing canker sores. The sores appear isolated or in clusters. Canker sores are not contagious and generally heal in about seven to ten days. This article looks at seven tried and tested techniques for helping soothe canker sores.

What Are Canker Sores?

Small and painful tongue and lips lesions are known as canker sores. These mouth ulcers can occur for many reasons but generally result from eating acidic foods. Injuries to your mouth damaging its insides are the prime reason for single mouth ulcers. All canker sores are not similar and might repeatedly occur without having clear causes. Unlike cold sores, canker sores are not contagious and don’t occur on your lip surfaces. However, they can cause pain and make eating and talking difficult.

What Causes Canker Sores?

The precise reasons for canker sores remain mysterious. However, researchers believe a combination of factors contributes to the outbreaks in people. Some triggers for anchor sores are minor injuries, mouth from dental work, aggressive brushing, accidental cheek bites, food sensitivities to chocolate, strawberries, coffee, spicy and acidic foods, emotional stress, hormonal shifts during menstruation, et cetera.

Certain conditions and diseases can also cause canker sores to occur. They are celiac disease, inflammatory bowel disease, a faulty immune system, et cetera. However, the herpes virus infection is not associated with canker sores, unlike cold sores.

Seven simple tips for quick relief

When you develop discomfort in your mouth, the first question you might think of is how to prevent canker sores. While you might receive various suggestions on the preventive methods you can use if you already have them, the better option is to seek a remedy for the condition by using the seven tips we suggest for quick relief. You can undoubtedly choose to watch what you eat, have healthy foods, maintain excellent dental hygiene practices, protect your mouth and reduce stress; as preventive measures, they might not serve as the optimal way to get rid of canker sores than the tips suggested in this article.

What are the tips we suggest for quick relief from canker sores?

1. OTC Gels or Patches: You can apply the over-the-counter medication directly to the canker sore, available as gels or paste. The medicine prevents irritation from the ulcer caused by acidic or spicy foods or touching. You can also place unique patches or dressings over the canker sore to protect irritation from the ulcer.
2. Mouth Rinses: an OTC rinse also helps you clean the area to relieve pain and discomfort. If you want to decide which OTC rinse is beneficial, the dentist in Calgary can recommend a brand with antiseptic properties. The rinse helps prevent irritation and numbs the painful sensation in the mouth.
3. Saltwater Rinses: You can prefer saltwater rinses to promote healing from canker sores. Saltwater rinses help keep your mouth clean, although they are not a substitute for a medicated mouthwash, especially if your symptoms are uncomfortable.
4. Appropriate Dental Hygiene Practices: You must ensure you practice excellent dental hygiene practices using a soft-bristled toothbrush to prevent damage to the canker sores. The toothbrush prevents irritation from the ulcers besides inhibiting the development of infections.
5. Vitamin B12 Supplements: Vitamin B12 helps support the brain and the function of the nervous system. It is also crucial for developing red blood cells. In addition, research from 2015 reveals taking vitamin B12 supplements significantly reduces discomfort from canker sores.
6. Avoiding Some Foods: if you have canker sores, you must refrain from having spicy, salty, and acidic foods. These foods can irritate the ulcers and inhibit healing. Hot beverages and foods with rough edges are also better avoided because they cause discomfort.
7. Numbing Your Mouth: you can suck on an ice cube or apply them to the ulcers only for pain or discomfort because the cold numbs the area. However, do not apply the ice cube directly without melting its surface because it might cause tissue damage.

While you can use the tips suggested in this article if you experience discomfort even after using these techniques, consult Poplar Dental for advice from a dental professional. Dentists can help relieve pain from canker sores by suggesting other medications to provide faster relief.