Canker sores are small, shallow lesions that develop on the soft tissues on the back of your lips, the base of your gums, on the inside linings of the cheeks, on the tongue, and throat. They usually appear white or yellow with a red, swollen border. Canker sores aren’t contagious. However, they can be really painful and can make eating and talking difficult. At this point, should you go see a doctor or dentist?
Canker Sore Treatment
Most canker sores go away on their own in a week or two. Still, it’s better to consult your doctor when they get unusually large, are recurring or persistent, extend into the lips, experience high fevers, or are extremely painful. Dentists can usually make a diagnosis based on a physical exam. They might want to test your blood to see whether a vitamin deficiency or another health condition is causing the sores.
Treatment for large, long-lasting, or excruciating sores include:
- Nutritional Supplements: If your sores are being caused by a vitamin or mineral deficiency, your doctor may prescribe you supplements.
- Oral Medications: Some medications can treat canker sores, like ulcer drug sucralfate and the gout drug colchicine. Doctors also give steroid pills.
- Mouthwashes: Mouthwashes that have a steroid or a painkiller can help alleviate canker sores.
- Cautery: Dental lasers can help you feel better right away. Doctors sometimes cauterize sores with chemicals like debacterol or silver nitrate.
- Dental Intervention: Sharp teeth can also cause canker sores. If this is your case, the doctor can intervene and adjust your denture or smooth down the tooth to prevent recurring sores.
Causes of Canker Sores
There are many causes of canker sores. Possible triggers include minor injuries to your mouth, food sensitivities, an allergic response to certain bacteria, emotional stress, and certain conditions and diseases such as celiac disease, inflammatory bowel disease, and even HIV/AIDS. Often, people with recurrent canker sores have a family history of the disorder.
Stop Suffering From Canker Sores
If your canker sore is getting unusually large or painful, or you get them often, it’s better to visit your dentist as soon as possible. The best dentist in Knoxville, TN, is Dr. Jim Erpenbach DDS. We’ll find the correct treatment to alleviate the pain immediately.
At Jim Erpenbach DDS, we are committed to keeping up with the ever-changing advances in medical technology so we can provide our patients the finest quality in dental care possible. We treat our patients with compassion and as we would treat our family. If you’re looking for a dentist in Knoxville, TN, look no further than Jim Erpenbach DDS.
