Canker sores are painful ulcers in the mouth that you never want to experience. Since the exact cause of these ulcers is unknown, you must stay away from factors that increase the chance. This article explains what these sores are and how to avoid getting a canker sore after dental work.
What Are Canker Sores?
Canker sores are small yellowish ulcers that appear in the mouth with a reddish line around them. They are small, but can sometimes grow to one inch in diameter. Canker sores can get painful and make it difficult to eat and talk, as they can appear anywhere on your gums, lips, tongue, or the roof of your mouth.
What Causes Canker Sores?
The actual cause of canker sores remains unknown to date. There are two types of canker sores: simple and complex. Doctors believe a series of factors increase the chance of getting these types of ulcers.
Some of the factors that might cause simple canker sores are:
- Consuming acidic food;
- Injury inside of the mouth (like biting the cheeks);
- Dental work and appliances (like dentures and braces); and
- Stress
More serious health complications, though relatively rare, cause complex canker sores:
- Crohn’s disease
- Behcet’s disease
- Celiac disease
- Ulcerative colitis
- Lupus
- AIDS
Can Dental Work Cause Canker Sores?
As mentioned before, there is a chance of getting a canker sore after dental work because these ulcers occur when you have a trauma in your mouth. Some non-holistic dental procedures and appliances can cause trauma that you might not even notice, since your mouth is numb. You might get a scratch that leads to an open wound and, ultimately, an ulcer. That is why it is recommended to rinse your mouth with salt water to lower the chance of ulcer development.
Can You Get a Canker Sore after Tooth Extraction?
If you think you got a canker sore after wisdom teeth removal, it is probably caused by stress, not dental work. To make sure, you can check the procedure with your dentist. If dental procedures stress you, walk through them with your holistic doctor for a more relaxed experience.
How to Prevent Canker Sore from Braces?
If you have braces and you want to make sure you will not get any canker sore from braces, here are three simple tips:
Salt water Rinse
Saline water rinse disinfects your mouth and stops bacteria buildup in case there is trauma in your mouth. You just need to mix a little salt in a glass of water and rinse your mouth two to three times daily.
Eat Smart
The first thing you learn with braces is to eat smart. Spicy and acidic foods irritate your mouth tissues and are one of the leading causes of ulcer development. Eating soft and enriched foods with iron, vitamin B1, calcium, and vitamin C ensures you are in the safe zone.
Keep Hydrated
It is all for the best if you drink plenty of water every day. A dry mouth causes discomfort and increases the chance of canker sores development. If you keep your mouth hydrated, you are more likely to avoid ulcers and help your body.
What to Do If You Get Canker Sore from Braces?
There are treatments if you want to get rid of a canker sore from braces:
- Mild Painkillers: you can get some OTC medication like Ibuprofen if the discomfort is too much.
- Be Patient: canker sores usually disappear within ten to fourteen days. Patience is the key!
- Visit Your Dentist: if the ulcer lasts more than a couple of weeks, or seems to worsen, it is time to see your doctor.
- Home Remedies: Dr. Maryam Horiyat explains 17 natural home remedies for canker sores:
How to Get Rid of Canker Sores on Your Tongue?
Like any other part of your mouth, canker sores on your tongue can be treated with saline water rinse. Just rinse your tongue a few times daily and avoid acidic or spicy foods to stop further irritation. That is all. Other than this, you just need to be patient.
Are You Still Concerned about Canker Sore after dentist?
In this article, we explained everything about canker sore after dental work. If you want to make sure that your dental work will not cause any trauma in your mouth, contact us for a consultation. We provide holistic and biological dental procedures to guarantee a safe and healthy experience for you.