1 in 5 people suffer from Canker sores daily, and almost everyone experiences them at least once in their lifetime. Canker sores are small lesions that grow on soft tissues in your mouth, lips or at the base of your gums. Noncontagious canker sores are painful and can make eating difficult. Generally, minor sores heal within a few weeks without treatment, but the risk of recurrence is high. In cases of major sores that may not heal naturally, medication is required to prevent complications such as pain, tingling, tiredness, and fever. If left untreated for a longer period, canker sores may spread to other parts of the mouth. In this short note, we will discuss the causes of canker sores and the therapy to treat them.
Causes of Canker Sores
The exact reason for the canker sores is unknown, but there area few triggering factors which can make you prone to the formation of canker sores:
- Genetic Predisposition/ Family history
- Viral Infection
- Stress
- Food allergy
- Mineral deficiency such as Vitamin B3, B9, B12, Zinc, Iron and calcium
- Mouth injury
- Hormonal disorder
- Stomach infection
- Weakness in immunity
How can Canker Sores be healed?
The minor sores heal within a short span of time on their own. It is always good to wait for a few weeks and take precautions such as:
- Avoid eating spicy and acidic food, as it may enhance the formation of sores
- Carefully brush your teeth so that your sore may not get bruised
- Try home remedies such as applying glycerine gel, milk of magnesia on the affected part in order to decrease the pain and expedite the process of healing
- Supplementing your body with B vitamins and Iron
- Eating fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole grains
Rinsing the mouth with products containing lidocaine or dexamethasone can help reduce inflammation and pain. This will accelerate the healing process and relieve the tingling sensation that can hinder speaking or eating. In case of stubborn canker sores, many oral and topical preparations are available in the market, which can help in healing:
- Over-the-counter medicines such as Ibuprofen or Acetaminophen
- Topical Products containing Benzocaine, Fluocinonide, Hydrogen peroxide
- Oral medicines such as sucralfate and steroids, in case sores are not being healed by any other medicine
- Cauterisation is a process of burning the tissue of the sore. This is done to treat the complex sore which fails to respond to any other treatment
Consult your doctor if the condition persists or sores appear again frequently. Always apply the topical medicine to the affected area. Always clean the area with a dry cloth and use a cotton swab for drug application. Never consume anything for at least 30 minutes for better results. No one desires canker sores, but with the right course of treatment and discussion with your doctor, you will be able to achieve relief from canker sores.
