Mouth sores can’t cause short-term or long-term harm, but they can certainly make you feel uncomfortable. Both canker sores and cold sores usually go away on their own as fast as a few days or may last up to 10 days, but in the meantime, they can hurt or make you feel self-conscious. Let’s learn about the causes of these ulcers and blisters and common treatments for mouth sores.
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Types of Mouth Sores
The types and causes of ulcers vary. Two of the most common types of mouth sores are:- Canker sores: An ulcer inside of the mouth with a red border and white or yellow centre is a canker sore. Due to their location inside the mouth, they can make eating or talking difficult. Irritation, allergies, hormones and malnutrition can cause them to develop. Canker sore treatment involves relieving the pain and promoting healing.
- Cold sores: Unlike canker sores, cold sores appear outside of the mouth on the lips and surrounding area. Since they come from the herpes simplex virus, they are very contagious. Cold sore treatment also aims to speed healing and reduce pain.
Rinsing With Antibacterial Mouthwash or Salt Water
Both salt water and over-the-counter mouthwash can reduce infection in canker sores. A spoon of salt dissolved in a warm cup of water works as a quick home remedy that can make your canker sore heal faster. Antibacterial rinses serve the same purpose, but read the label carefully when you buy one. An alcohol-based rinse can irritate your sores and make them hurt more.Nutrition and Supplements
If you get cold or canker sores often, you might not be getting the vitamins and minerals you need. Not getting proper nutrition can be a major cause of canker sores, and vitamins help your body fight against and heal the infection that causes cold sores.Ice or Cold Compress
Cold substances like ice or a cold cloth reduce pain and inflammation. They can minimize the appearance of your sores and get rid of crusting caused by cold sore blisters. By soothing the inflamed tissue, these remedies also make healing faster.Over-the-Counter or Prescription Drugs
Pain-relieving medicine like pills and drugs can soothe the pain that home remedies don’t relieve effectively. Some over-the-counter solutions are specifically made for canker or cold sores. If your mouth sores don’t go away quickly or cause severe discomfort, you may need a prescription medication from a medical professional.Cauterization
In severe cases of canker sores, the affected tissue may need cauterization. During cauterization, a chemical or tool burns away or destroys the canker’s sore tissue. Cauterization can speed healing and lower pain when nothing else will do the trick.Services From Gateway Dentistry Group
If you need general dentistry services or more information about oral health, we’re happy to lend a hand. We serve the Grande Prairie area and are accepting new patients. To schedule an appointment or get more information, call us at 1-780-539-3555 or complete an online contact form.Recent Blogs
