Canker Sores

Painful and annoying, canker sores can be triggered by many things, such as bacterial or fungal infections, a broken tooth, an orthodontic wire, an ill-fitting denture or even a good bite to the inside of your che e k.

Canker sores are small ulcers or sores that generally have a white or gray base and a red border and appear inside the mouth.  Their exact cause is uncertain but often fatigue, stress or allergies can increase their outbreak.

How can I make canker sores go away?

Usually a canker sore will heal on its own after a week or so, but sometimes you may get several over a period of time.  Topical anesthetics and antimicrobial mouth rinses may provide some temporary relief.  When you have a canker sore, you may want to stay away from hot, spicy or acidic foods that can irritate the sore.

If a canker sore persists over two weeks, please call Lindy and come in for a visit.  We can help with prescription medications to speed healing and reduce the pain.  Sometimes persistent canker sores can indicate other, more serious problems that we should examine.

Is a canker sore the same thing as a cold sore?

Cold sores or “fever blisters”, as they are sometimes called, are not the same thing as canker sores.  Cold sores are fluid-filled blisters which erupt around the outside of the mouth and can be contagious.  If the cause of the cold sores is the herpes virus the virus stays in the body and can cause occasional attacks. 

Cold sores can be triggered by a fever (hence the term “fever blisters”), sunburn, skin abrasions or by stress.  They usually heal within a week by themselves.  Some over-the-counter topical anesthetics can help ease the pain.

If you have canker sores or cold sores which are persistent and don’t just heal by themselves, give Lindy, our scheduling coordinator, a call at 342-3695 for a visit. 

We know how uncomfortable it is to brush and keep your mouth and teeth clean when suffering from canker sores and cold sores.  More than anything, we want you to enjoy “The Power of your Smile”.