Oral Health Buzz
Soothing Mouth Ulcer Treatment Tips
Tania K. Cowling
Have you ever developed a white painful sore with red borders inside of your mouth? These are called aphthous ulcers, better known as canker sores. These lesions are somewhat of a mystery as to why some people get them, but usually the cause could be related to stress, a slight injury to the soft tissues in the mouth, dentures that don't fit properly, braces can contribute to this, as well as eating highly acidic foods such as oranges, strawberries and tomatoes and nutritional deficiencies.
Symptoms of Canker Sores
Canker sores occur inside the mouth, from the inner parts of the lips to inside the cheeks, on the tongue, and even on the upper palate or roof of the mouth. It is a painful area that is tender to touch. The canker sore is not usually not contagious. Common canker sores need to run a course of healing that may take a week or two. If the canker sore is more severe, you may consider visiting your dentist for an oral examination.
Symptoms of Cold Sores
On the other hand, if a person develops a cluster of small blisters that turn into a larger sore in the lip area, this may be a cold sore caused by the herpes simplex virus. This later type of mouth ulcer is caused by a virus and is highly contagious. A cold sore may require a prescription antiviral medication from a physician.
One of the most common solutions to ease mouth ulcer pain is to ice it. Wrap an ice cube into a paper towel and hold it over the sore. Never place the ice directly onto the skin. This method brings only temporary relief, but it feels good because it tempers the burning pain.
Another remedy is to place a wet tea bag over the ulcerated area. Black tea contains tannin, which possesses powerful pain-relieving qualities.
Over the Counter Solutions
Luckily, there are mouth ulcer treatment products to help with the healing process and to dull the pain. One of the common pain methods for mouth ulcer treatment is swishing your mouth with an antibacterial rinse such as Peroxyl by Colgate. This alcohol-free formula not only cleanses the mouth but also soothes the irritation, even in sensitive mouths. It contains hydrogen peroxide with a refreshing flavor that most dentists recommend.
Another helpful product by Colgate is Orabase. Applying this paste to cover the sore provides protection and promotes healing. You will feel automatic relief as the analgesic benzocaine starts to work.
Boost Your Body's Immunity with Healthy Nutrients
Eating good natural foods provides the body with healing vitamins and minerals. There may be a link between canker sores and a low intake of iron and several of the B vitamins, such as B-12. Make sure your diet contains lots of fruits, vegetables, eggs, meats and whole grains to obtain these nutrients. Taking a multivitamin may be a good insurance policy. Lastly, make a ritual of eating yogurt. The probiotics are helpful in keeping the digestive system healthy and are helpful even in preventing canker sores.
Unfortunately, you will most likely have to ride out this irksome process, but using these remedies may help to allay the discomfort while you wait. Learn more about mouth ulcers in the Colgate Oral Care resources.
Source: Wikimedia Commons