These small wounds in the mouth are quite frequent. The good news is that they can be cured.
Sores (or canker sores) in the mouth are a common discomfortwhose probability of appearance we can not control at all.
It is a well-known type of injury that many of us have suffered several times throughout our lives, since they are caused naturally from small incidents typical of everyday life.
Throughout this article we will see some tips and recommendations on how to cure mouth sores and canker sores. But first, it is important to be clear about what these wounds are and why they appear.
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What are canker sores?
Canker sores or canker sores are a type of canker sore that appears in the soft tissue (buccal mucosa) inside the mouth, either next to the inside of the lips or on the inside of the cheeks or on the tongue. Sometimes they also appear on the gums.
It is easy to distinguish them by their appearance, as they are small in size (usually no more than half a centimeter), white and surrounded by a reddened part. This whitish or light gray color is due to the accumulation of fibrin, a type of protein that remains in the oral mucosa due to blood clotting in that area. In addition, they are not lesions associated with a carcinogenic process.
On the other hand, it is important to know that they are not contagious, unlike what happens with cold sores, with which canker sore should not be confused. In the vast majority of cases they are not dangerous injuries, although there are exceptional cases in which they become a somewhat more serious problem than the pain they produce when they appear.
Mouth sores can appear at virtually any age, although they are most common during childhood and adolescence. In addition, they are often recurrent, appearing and disappearing more or less in the same area for several years.
Causes of this type of injury
As for the causes of mouth sores, there can be several. They often appear because of constant rubbing against some other part of the mouth or an object (for example, braces), or from a bite.
Sometimes, its origin can be linked to an infectious process and a weakening of the immune system, as well as an allergy.
Regarding the latter, a general drop in the body’s defenses, in addition to bacterial or viral infections, can play a role in a season of high stress, or bad lifestyle habits that generate nutritional deficiencies.
How to heal mouth sores?
As we have seen, mouth sores are lesions that, although annoying, do not normally constitute a serious disease nor can they trigger cases of contagionto other people (beyond increasing the risk of contagion of diseases independent of the presence of canker sores, by causing a little blood to pass into saliva).
But, although in most cases these wounds involve little more than a feeling of discomfort or some pain, it is worth knowing some simple tricks to heal them and help them disappear as soon as possible.
In these lines you will see various tips to make canker sores go away, and with them, the discomfort and swelling they cause.
1. Go to the doctor to know the causes
The first case is, when in doubt, go to the doctor. As we have seen, mouth sores are not usually serious injuries, but it is advisable to be sure that they are not a symptom of a disease to be controlled as soon as possible.
The personalized attention of health professionals will reduce uncertainty about the possible causes of canker sores, and will indicate a treatment that fits the needs of the patient. All the tips that we will see below should be seen as a complement to this medical treatment, and not a substitute.
2. Use ice to soothe pain
This is one of the simplest tricks to eliminate the discomfort caused by mouth sores. It consists of holding a plastic bag (or a similar material) filled with ice by pressing it slightly against the part of the mouth where the sore is. By itself it does not help to make the canker sore go away earlier or to disinfect it, but it will serve to calm the pain while you are putting into practice the rest of the tips.
3. Eat slowly
It is very common for new wounds to occur where the sore is, causing another to arise before the previous one has disappeared. This usually happens because of bites: since the canker sore area is a little swollen, it is easier for it to get trapped between the teeth when chewing.
So, as a simple prevention exercise, eat slowly and be careful not to bite yourself.
4. Use mouthwashes
Possibly this is one of the treatments that your doctor has recommended, and its objective is to disinfect. Use pharmacy rinses once a day to keep the part occupied by the sore clean.
5. … or use hydrogen peroxide
Another way to keep the sore area clean is to moisten ear buds withhydrogen peroxideand gently rub them against the eroded part of the buccal mucosa. Be careful not to squeeze too hard, as that part of the mouth tissue is in a vulnerable state.
Keeping the area disinfected will help the sore not stay there for a long timebecause of the infectious processes caused by microorganisms that come from outside and that can worsen the situation.
6. Eat well
As we have seen, the appearance of mouth sores may be due to nutritional deficits. Therefore, it is important that you eat well, so that your body has materials to regenerate quickly. Make sure you don’t lack vitamins or macronutrients, and avoid “detox” plans to lose weight.
7. Sleep well
In the same sense of the previous advice to cure mouth sores, sleeping the right hours is essential to give our body the opportunity to repair itself.
8. Rinse with salt
This natural remedy can help you heal the sore by eliminating potentially harmful microorganisms. Simply dissolve a small tablespoon of salt in warm water, and gargle for about 20 seconds.
9. Rinse with baking soda
This is another alternative, a different version to the previous recommendation thatwill help you keep your mouth clean thanks to the antiseptic action of this substance.
References
- Bruch, J.M. & Treister, N. (2009). Clinical Oral Medicine and Pathology. Springer Science & Business Media.
- Ferraz, E.G.; Campos Ede, J.; Sarmento, V.A.; Silva, L.R. (2012). The oral manifestations of celiac disease: information for the pediatric dentist. Pediatric Dentist. 34(7): 485 – 488.
- Scully, C. (2013). Oral and maxillofacial medicine: the basis of diagnosis and treatment (3rd ed.). Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone.
To the classic question “what do you do?” I always answer “basically I am a psychologist”. In fact, my academic training has revolved around the psychology of development, education and community, a field of study influenced my volunteer activities, as well as my first work experiences in personal services.