How is it treated?
You do
not need to see a doctor for most
. They will get better on their own. There
are many things you can try at home to relieve the pain caused by your canker
sores:
- Eat soft, bland foods that are easy to swallow, such as
yogurt or cream soup. Cut your food into small pieces or mash or puree it.
Avoid coffee, chocolate, spicy or salty foods, citrus fruits or juices, nuts,
seeds, and tomatoes.
- Drink cold fluids, such as water or iced tea,
or eat Popsicles. Sometimes fluid touching the canker sore can cause a stinging
pain. Use a straw so the fluid doesn't touch the canker sore. Hold ice on the
canker sore until it is numb.
- Rinse your mouth with salt water. To
make a salt water rinse, dissolve 1 tsp (5 g) of salt in 1 cup (250 mL) of warm
water.
- Buy an over-the-counter medicine such as Orabase, Anbesol,
or milk of magnesia to put on your canker sores. Use a cotton swab to apply the
medicine. Put it on your sores 3 to 4 times a day.
- Take a
pain reliever, such as
,
including aspirin (such as Bayer), ibuprofen (such as Advil), or naproxen
(such as Aleve). Do not give aspirin to anyone younger than 20 because of the risk of
.
If your canker sores do
not feel better after trying these steps at home for 2 weeks, you may need to
see your doctor or dentist. He or she may recommend medicines that will help
the pain caused by your canker sores. Usually these medicines are swished or
gargled in your mouth, or they are painted on the sore. Your doctor may
prescribe
cream (triamcinolone or fluocinonide) or paste
(amlexanox) to rub on your canker sore and/or a prescription mouthwash to use.
Talk to your doctor if you have a fever, have trouble swallowing,
or if your canker sores keep coming back. You may have another problem that is
causing your symptoms.
How can canker sores be prevented?
Most of the time the cause of canker sores is
unknown. Unless you know what causes your canker sores, you cannot prevent them
from happening. If you do know what causes your canker sores, you can help
prevent them by avoiding what you know causes them. For example, if you have
gotten canker sores in the past from hurting the inside of your mouth, you
might help prevent them by chewing your food slowly and carefully, trying not
to talk and chew at the same time, and using a soft-bristled toothbrush when
you brush your teeth.