Doing your oral hygiene daily, visiting the dentist regularly, and flossing at least once a day can minimize the chance of tooth decay. However, several other factors, such as canker sores, can happen unexpectedly to your mouth. There is no apparent reason what causes canker sores, but there are several possible reasons why they appear. Mouth injury, biting the insides of your mouth, or when metal brackets rub in your cheeks can somewhat cause canker sores, but often, they appear suddenly without any warning. Fortunately, canker sores are not contagious but can be uncomfortable and painful. Canker sores can be medicated through over-the-counter medicines, but they usually disappear in around 1 to 3 weeks.
What is the difference between a Canker Sore and Cold Sore?
A canker sore is a type of mouth sore, also called a “mouth ulcer,” a small, shallow lesion that can appear within your gums or on the mouth’s surface. On the other hand, cold sores are also called “fever blisters,” a common viral infection. Oral sex, viral infection, or a weak immune system can result in a cold sore.
What are the possible ways to prevent canker sores?
As mentioned above, there are no definite reasons why canker sores appear in your mouth, but there are ways to prevent them or cure them without any help of any medication. Below are the ways to minimize the chances of having canker sores:
- Maintain consistent and regular oral hygiene (brushing your teeth and flossing)
- Check the ingredients in your toothpaste or mouthwash since some ingredients can contribute to developing a canker sore.
- Avoid chewing foreign objects that can contribute to bacteria in your mouth, such as chewing the lid of a pen.
- Avoid biting the surfaces in your mouth, such as biting your cheeks.
Canker sores may be perceived as harmless, even if they are painful and uncomfortable. Still, if you are experiencing a huge canker sore that affects your lifestyle, it is best to contact a specialist to determine the possible causes and prevent them from worsening.
Can canker sores affect the teeth?
Canker sores appear mostly on the surface and in the gums, but there are times that canker sores can affect your oral health, such as when pressing it. It can also cause pain in your gums and teeth even if you are not experiencing a toothache. It is best to consult a dentist to know the situation of your canker sore and how it affects your mouth.
If you are experiencing frequent canker sores, it may be because of missing consistent oral hygiene. London Square Dental can help you alleviate the pain and discomfort from canker sores by implementing personalized, quality, and comprehensive dental treatment.
Our team at London Square Dental aims to improve and maintain your oral health. We offer a wide array of dental services that can help enhance your dental appearance. We understand that not everyone has a pleasant experience when visiting the dentist. That is why we offer sedation options to make your dental experience relaxing and worry-free. Call our office now at 403-291-4945 to book your appointment. We would be happy to accommodate you!
