| How to treat canker sores
Canker sore is a development of an ulcer in a mouth. This painful ulcer is noticed as a red sore with white coating. You should able to differentiate the canker sores from cold sores and fever blisters.
Canker sores are usually noticed in different parts of the mouth including underneath the tongue, inside the cheeks (in the mouth) and inside the lips.
Epidemiology
Canker sores are not contagious. Mostly evidenced among women, more so than men, incidence of canker sores is more prevalent among the teens and young women in their twenties. The sore may leave large scars even up to an inch. Mostly more than one sore will explode at a time.
Etiology
The causes for canker sores are obscure. Sometimes the canker sores are caused for following reasons: -
- Hormonal balance during menstrual periods
- Allergies to food
- Poor nutrition- deficiency of vitamin B12, folic acid and iron
- Stress
- An immune system reaction to a yeast infection, bacteria, or virus
- Allergic to sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS), a detergent established in toothpaste
- Sequel of certain diseases including celiac disease, irritable bowel syndrome, etc
Symptoms
The symptoms of canker sores are small and large ulcers that appear in the mouth. These are usually in the form of bubbles that look as if they are filled with watery liquid. The color of the ulcers are usually white, sometimes they can appear yellow.
Canker Sore Treatment
It can be disgruntling to anyone suffering painful mouth ulcers to know that there isn't anything specific to treat canker sores. In spite of no treatment for this condition, you may even try to use over-the-counter medications to promote quick healing of the ulcers and to minimize the pain.
Most of the physicians are seeking the help of cortisones- triamcinolone. Other major drugs used for canker sore relief are Dexamethasone mouthwash and kenalog. Mouth sore gels, Mouth sore swabs, oral cleanser and gum therapies are being used to control canker sores and seen as good canker sore treatment options.
Home Remedies for Canker Sores
The most popular home remedies for canker sore includes deglycrrhizinated licorice, slippery elm, and alum. You can easily obtain these products from any health food store and make them as a powder by grinding. Mix adequate water to make a thin paste. Application of this paste directly on the sore might reduce the period of infection.
Even beneficial bacteria capsules, and probiotics procured from natural health shops may be useful in treating the canker sore.
Control of Canker Sores
As we know very well prevention is better than cure, controlling your canker sores is an easy task than treating the same. The canker sores in the mouth can be prevented by following means-
- Rinse with undiluted 3% hydrogen peroxide at least thrice daily
- Xylitol sweetened candies and gums may be used.
- Wet black tea bags may be applied on the ulcers to ease pain
- Drink ample of cold water through out the day.
- Include iron, thiamine, calcium, and vitamin E in the regular diet
Despite the availability of different over-the-counter medicines varied from natural remedies to chemical drugs, physician opinion holds good to contain this condition of canker sores.
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