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What are CANKER
SORES?
- A canker sore is painful,
open (crater-like) sore on the inside of the mouth, tongue, gum or cheek.
Some causes of CANKER SORES
- Injury to the inside of the
mouth (biting or by a foreign object).
- Viral Infection
- Stress
- Genetic predisposition
- Hormonal changes
Some symptoms of CANKER
SORES
- Painful and discolored
(white or red) sores on the inside of the mouth, tongue, gum or cheek.
Prevention and
treatment of CANKER
SORES
- Spicy or salty foods, coffee,
citrus fruits, or any other foods which may cause discomfort should be
avoided.
- A soft bristle toothbrush should be used when brushing teeth.
- Food should be chewed carefully and slowly.
- Popsicles and cold drinks may help ease the discomfort.
- The mouth can be rinsed with Mylanta or Maalox every 4 hours (swish and
spit).
- A combination Maalox® or
Mylanta® and Benadryl®
in a 1:1 ratio may also be used as a mouth rinse (swish and spit).
This will help numb, coat and protect the canker sore.
- Non-prescription topical products with protectants and topical
anesthetics may be applied to ease the pain. (Specific products may be
recommended by a physician or pharmacist.)
- Oral analgesic tablets/capsules may be given for pain relief. (Specific products may be
recommended by a physician or pharmacist.)
- If necessary, stronger topical products for pain and/or swelling are
available by prescription.
A
healthcare
professional should be notified if:
- the sores develop after beginning a medication.
- the canker sore does not heal within 14 days.
- the sore is very painful and recurs frequently.
- if white spots that are not canker sores appear and do not heal within
one or two weeks.
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