Fix canker sores

Canker sores are shallow lesions that may develop at the base of the gums, on or under the tongue, on the soft palate, or on other soft tissues in the mouth. While they are not contagious, they can be painful, and they may affect your ability to comfortably eat, drink, or brush your teeth. Doctors and dentists can diagnose canker sores with a simple visual exam. Most canker sores arise from minor trauma to the mouth, hormone fluctuations, or allergies or food sensitivities. In some cases, however, canker sores can indicate other health problems, however, which may require other tests for diagnosis. Especially when canker sores are severe and chronic, they may be a symptom of an underlying cause; your doctor can treat your canker sores and also treat the underlying cause. In most cases, minor canker sores clear up on their own, usually in a week or two. If you have an unusually large, painful, or persistent canker sore, however, you may need medical care. There are several possible treatment options for these extreme cases.

If you are faced with chronic, severe canker sores, your doctor may recommend a prescription mouth rinse that contains a steroid, called dexamethasone. This medication reduces pain and inflammation. Your doctor may also prescribe lidocaine, to reduce the pain of canker sores. There are also a variety of over-the-counter and prescription gels, pastes, and liquids that can accelerate healing and relieve the pain of canker sores. It is recommended that you apply these products to canker sores as soon as they appear. These medications contain active ingredients like benzocaine, fluocinonide, or hydrogen peroxide. Ask your dentist or doctor for a recommendation to learn which product may work best for you.

When canker sores don’t respond to topical treatments or are extremely severe, oral medications may be prescribed or recommended. These medications may include oral steroids, which may cause serious side effects. Many doctors and dentists recommend treatments that are designed for other ailments, like sucralfate, which is an intestinal ulcer treatment, or colchicine, which is traditionally used as a treatment for gout. For a variety of reasons, this off-label medication can be effective in treating some severe canker sores that don’t respond well to other treatments. Dentists and doctors may also recommend cautery for canker sores, in which a chemical substance or mechanical instrument is used to sear and destroy tissue. Debacterol is a commonly used topical cautery chemical, which is also used for gum problems, and can help greatly accelerate healing time. Silver nitrate is also commonly used to chemical cauterize canker sores; while silver nitrate is not shown to reduce healing time, it has been shown to be effective in relieving the pain of canker sores.

Canker sores may also arise because of malnutrition. Your doctor may prescribe or recommend a nutritional supplement, especially if you are deficient in certain B vitamins or zinc. If your canker sores are found to be connected to a larger health concern, your doctor will refer you to a specialist or treat the broader medical issue, while also treating the uncomfortable canker sores themselves.

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