Ulcer/Canker Sore Relief
If you have ever experienced an ulcer or canker sore, you will know they are no fun at all. They can take time to disappear, are usually in an inconvenient part of your mouth, and cause an annoying amount of pain. There are numerous causes for canker sores and ulcers, but thankfully there are multiple treatments as well. If you’re suffering from ulcer/cancer sore, visiting your local Vancouver dentist and undergoing laser treatment could help you relief the pain. So what causes them, what are the effects, and how do you treat them effectively?
Cancer sores vs. Cold sores
It is important to differentiate canker sores and cold sores. They are often confused as being the same thing but one occurs inside the mouth while the other occurs outside the mouth. Canker sores are defined as small, shallow ulcers that appear in the mouth and often make eating and talking uncomfortable. Cold sores are characterized by painful blisters, are caused by a virus, and are extremely contagious. They often reside underneath the nose, around the lips, and under the chin. Two types of canker sores exist. A simple canker sore may appear three or four times a year and last up to a week. They are generally seen in people between the ages of ten and twenty. Complex canker sores are less common and typically occur in people who have previously had them. So what really causes ulcers and canker sores?
Causes
The exact cause of most canker sores/ulcers has baffled dentists for years and is still indefinite. Stress or tissue injury is thought to be the cause of simple canker sores. Certain foods such as citric or acidic fruits and vegetables including lemons, oranges, pineapples, apples, figs, tomatoes, and strawberries can initiate a canker sore or make an existing one worse. A sharp tooth surface or dental appliance such as braces or dentures may also cause canker sores. Complex canker sores may be caused by an underlying health condition such as an impaired immune system, nutritional deficiencies, or gastrointestinal tract diseases. With multiple causes, come multiple symptoms.
Canker sores/ulcers affect almost everyone at some point in their life. If you avoid a canker sores/ulcers, you have worked a miracle. So how do you know if you have a canker sore/ulcer or something completely different? Canker sores/ulcers are characterized by painful sores inside your mouth, located on the tongue, soft palate (back part of the roof of your mouth), on the inside of your lip, or on the inside of your cheeks. A tingling or burning sensation may be present before the round white or grey sores appear. In severe cases, fever, physical sluggishness, and swollen lymph nodes may also be experienced.
Treatment
Effective treatment is now widely available to save you from the annoyance of your canker sore/ulcer! Sores typically disappear within a week or two but if they persist your Vancouver dentist may prescribe a mouth rinse, corticosteroid ointment, or an over-the-counter prescription. However, a more effective treatment and management of canker sores/ulcers has surfaced. Laser dentistry is quickly becoming recognized for the amazing treatment of canker sores/ulcers. By removing the bacteria in your mouth that is causing the sore, the use of lasers reduce not only the pain associated to the sore but also the chance of the sore reappearing.
Canker sores/ulcers are never a fun experience. Whatever the cause, the red-bordered, grey or white sore can cause annoying pain and inhibit eating and speaking ability. Prevent or effectively treat your sores by going to your nearest laser dentistry office!
