An Overview Of Mouth Sores
An overview of mouth sores
Mouth sores are one of the most uncomfortable things to endure. They cause discomfort and also hamper the daily functioning of the body. These red blisters are the worst when aggravated in the oral cavity. Read on for further information about mouth sores and how you can go about mouth sores treatment.
What are mouth sores?
- Mouth sores occur quite commonly and affect most people at least once during their lifespan.
- These sores are characterized as blisters that appear to be red.
- They can occur on and around any of the soft tissues in the mouth.
What are the different types of mouth sores?
- Canker sores are a common type of mouth sores, which are painful and small lesions, most frequently found on the base of your gum or on the other soft tissues of your mouth.
When and how can you diagnose mouth sores?
Most of the times, you can diagnose a mouth sore yourself. However, you would need to get a professional diagnosis done in case of the following situations:
- The presence of external white sores on the mouth sores
- A case of herpes simplex
- Sores that stay and do not subside after a couple of weeks
- When beginning a new course of medication
- Starting treatment for cancer
- If you recently underwent a transplant surgery
- In these cases, the doctor will run biopsies and some tests. Even a physical checkup would be enough to start with your mouth sores treatment.
What causes mouth sores?
Mouth sores can be caused because of any of the following reasons:
- Biting your cheek, lip, or tongue
- Mouth burns
- Irritation caused by the usage of sharp objects such as dentures, retainers, or braces
- Chewing tobacco
- Brushing your teeth too hard
- You are also more prone to getting mouth sores if you have a weak immunity, are susceptible to hormonal changes, are having vitamin deficiencies, or are suffering from an underlying disease such as Crohn’s or Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS).
How can you undertake mouth sores treatment?
- Taking anti-inflammatory drugs such as Tylenol and Morpin.
- Additionally, you may even need to take pain medications or steroid gels.
- Home remedies may also be tried, which are explained as we move ahead.
Are there any home remedies that you can use for mouth sores treatment?
Yes, there are various tried and tested methods used to treat mouth sores:
- First and foremost, you need to avoid salty, spicy, high sugar based, and citrus food products.
- Avoiding alcohol and tobacco is also important for mouth sores treatment.
- Gargle your mouth with salt water.
- Consume sherbet, ice pops, cold food, or even ice for a treatment to lower the discomfort of mouth sores.
- Apply a thin paste made out of baking soda and water on the sore.
- Dab a solution that is 1 part water and 1 part hydrogen peroxide on the mouth sore for relief.
How can mouth sores be prevented?
Prevention of mouth sores can be done by following the below mentioned tips:
- Avoid extremely hot drinks and food items if you are susceptible to getting mouth sores
- Chew your food slowly
- Work on stress management
- Don’t smoke or chew tobacco
- Apply sunscreen on your lips
Do not avoid such blisters for too long as they may be viral in nature and may spread to the rest of the body. Therefore, seeking professional medical help is recommended.