Mouth sores are also known as aphthous ulcers or canker sores. These are small shallow lesions affecting soft tissues in the mouth or the base of the gums. They are usually painful, making talking and eating difficult.
Mouth sores affect many people and usually heal after 1 – 2 weeks, but if your sores are painful, large and persistent, you need to visit our dentist at Thousand Smiles to diagnose the cause of the sores and get treatment.
You may not need any tests at the dental practice to diagnose mouth sores because the dentist can perform a visual exam for this. However, some tests may be necessary to identify the conditions responsible for the mouth sores, especially if the sores are severe and persistent.
In some cases, gum disease doesn’t cause pain, so you may be unaware if you have it, but regular check-ups with our dentist will identify signs of gum disease if present.
Some treatments for mouth sores include:
If you have several sores, the dentist may recommend using a steroid dexamethasone-containing mouth rinse to reduce the inflammation or lidocaine for the pain.
You can also use over-the-counter prescription products like pasts, creams, gel or liquids on each sore for faster healing and relieving pain. The over-the-counter products usually contain
Other topical products that do not contain these active ingredients are available to treat mouth sores. Your dentist can recommend a suitable option.
The healthcare professional may recommend oral medications if you have severe mouth sores that topical products can’t treat.
The oral medications to treat mouth sores are
During cautery, the medical expert will use an instrument or chemical substance to burn the tissues.
You can take nutritional supplements such as vitamins B6 and B12, zinc and folic acid.
If your mouth sores result from a more severe health issue, the doctor may recommend a treatment for the health condition.
You can take the following steps to speed up your healing and relieve your mouth sore pains
Depending on your mouth sores, your dentist can make an accurate diagnosis. As you prepare for your appointment, the following will ensure you are ready.
You can visit Thousand Smiles today for diagnosis and treatment of mouth sores or call to book an appointment at our dental practice.
