Why Canker Sores Happen and What to do

Ever bite your tongue or lip on accident and have a sore show up soon after? You likely experienced a canker sore. They can be quite a nuisance, but knowing a few things about canker sores may help you ride them out the next time you have one.

Why Do Canker Sores Happen?

Canker sores are still a mystery after all these years because it can be challenging to pinpoint precisely what is causing them. The cause of canker sores can vary from person to person, but these are common culprits:

• Food Sensitivities
• Lack of vitamins or minerals in your diet
• Certain bacteria can cause adverse reactions in your mouth

Do you eat lots of acidic foods? Looking closer at food sensitivities can be a great place to start. Strawberries, tomatoes, coffee, and chocolate may be some foods to consider eliminating if you are experiencing canker sores often.

Deficiencies in vitamin B12, folate, zinc, or iron have been linked to canker sores. Your doctor can run lab tests to see if you are low in vitamins or minerals. Asking your doctor about these deficiencies can be helpful if you think that they may be linked.

While helicobacter pylori is a bacteria known for causing peptic ulcers, this same bacteria has been linked to causing canker sores. If you experience both of these medical conditions, it may be that this bacteria is a problem in your body.

What Can Be Done When You Get A Canker Sore?

The great thing is that your body will naturally heal a canker sore. Most people don’t need to see their dentist since things will heal up naturally, but the bummer is that it usually takes 10 to 14 days to heal completely. During this healing phase, a canker sore can be pretty painful. To reduce the pain and sensitivity of a canker sore, there are a few remedies that can be tried:

• Mouth rinse – Your dentist may prescribe a mouth rinse containing dexamethasone. Dexamethasone is a steroid that can help reduce pain and inflammation.
• Topical products – Products with benzocaine are sold at many convenience or pharmacy stores. They may relieve pain and speed healing if you apply them to your canker sore in its early phases.
• Salt water rinse – Mix 1 teaspoon of salt into half a cup of warm water and then swish this solution in your mouth for 30 seconds and spit it out. This method can be repeated every few hours as needed.
• Baking soda rinse – Like salt water rinse, you could try rinsing with 1 teaspoon baking soda in half a cup of warm water instead. This too should be spit out as baking soda is very salty.
• Honey – Applying honey to your sore up to four times a day could be beneficial in reducing canker sore pain as honey is known for its antibacterial abilities.
• Coconut Oil – Coconut oil contains a high amount of lauric acid, which gives it antimicrobial properties. Putting this on your canker sores may reduce pain and it may also help prevent canker sores from spreading!

How To Prevent Canker Sores

Much of preventing cankers sores has to do with what is causing them. Remember that what causes canker sores for one person may differ from why you get canker sores.

If acidic foods lead to canker sores in your mouth, consider limiting your exposure to strawberries, salsa, tomatoes, and other acidic foods.

If stress affects your susceptibility to getting canker sores, you could try reducing your stress load. Is there a way that you like to relax? Try building relaxation into your schedule.

Canker sores can be a pain. Finding what helps reduce their pain can be challenging, but many of our patients have found some relief with the remedies listed above. When it comes to the long-term battle of canker sores, remember that narrowing down the factors that cause them can help you know how to prevent them in the future.