A 'Pain’ in the Mouth: Canker Sores
June 26th, 2017
Our patients who have braces know how annoying and painful canker sores can be, especially when combined with braces. Canker sores are not contagious. They most commonly appear on the inside of the mouth and can show up as one or multiple sores at the same time. Unfortunately, canker sores often return and there are no known causes. However, stress, trauma, food allergies, eating certain foods (chocolate, nuts and citrus fruits) and vitamin deficiencies may be a trigger.
The good news is that there is relief for canker sores. You can use pain-relieving gels, saltwater rinses and antibacterial mouthwashes to help ease the pain and support healing. The sores will usually heal within two weeks – if yours lasts longer than that you should contact your dentist.
