The mouth can be perplexing, especially if you don’t know much about your teeth and soft tissues. Don’t worry! This is the case for lots of people. Scientists are still working some things out about the mouth.  One puzzles about the mouth is the origin of canker sores. Canker sores are shallow, small ulcers that can occasionally make eating and talking difficult, and scientists still aren’t entirely sure what causes them.

Unlike another mouth sore–the cold sore–canker sores are not actually contagious. They tend to run in families; some experts believe bacteria or viruses to be involved. You do not need to see a doctor about canker sores unless this is the first time you’ve had them, or if it is larger than 1 cm (a little less than ½ inch).  Occasionally, an injury to the mouth’s soft tissues can also cause a canker sore.

Unfortunately, there is currently no cure for canker sores. However, there are a few things you can do to relieve symptoms while you wait for the sore to heal. Rinse your mouth with warm water to help ease pain and keep your mouth clean. An over-the-counter antimicrobial mouthwash may help, as could an over-the-counter anesthetic (for pain). Avoid any acidic or spicy foods that could irritate the sores! Fortunately, the pain should fade out in a few days and the sore should heal on its own in 7-10 days (sometimes this takes up to 2 weeks). Antibiotics from your dentist may help control any secondary infection that may arise.

To learn more about canker sores or about other abnormalities in the mouth, we invite you to call [practice_name] at [phone]. Dr. [doctor_name] and our team are here to help you in any way we can. We are excited to give you the information you’re looking for! If you suspect a problem and are in the [city], [state] area, be sure to call us for an appointment as soon as possible.