Dental Care for Mouth Sores

Mouth sores can be caused by a range of dental and medical disorders. In fact, although mouth sores occur in the mouth, they are more likely to be caused by medical rather than dental disorders.

That said certain dental problems may lead to mouth sores. The most common occurrence is someone accidentally biting down on the tongue, the lip or the inside of the cheek. The bite can cause a lesion or tear in the surface area of any of those places. If that lesion gets infected it is likely to result in a mouth sore.

Other dental conditions that may lead to mouth sores include loose dentures, orthodontic braces and jagged teeth. It is possible for any of these to cause an abrasive rubbing between the teeth, gums and cheeks, which may lead to lesions, blisters and mouth sores.

This type of mouth sore is known as a canker sore and can appear first as a red bump or a small blister. If it gets infected it will become more angry looking, swell up or crack open making eating and drinking painful.

This is why regular visits to the dentist are important. If it is a case that dentures or braces are loose, it gives the dentist a chance to correct that. The dentist will also be better qualified to notice any irregularities in the mouth. Like most illnesses, early detection of mouth sores will ensure quicker healing.

In some cases, softly brushing over the mouth sore can avoid infection. It is also possible to gargle with salt water. To further prevent infection, it’s possible to mix in some sodium bicarbonate to the salt water solution to make a paste. This paste can then be dabbed on the mouth sore with a cotton swab.

These are some tried and tested home remedies that are quite effective. If the mouth sores look more serious and are recurring, it is best to seek medical attention. Visit the doctor or the pharmacy where the problem persists.

It is advised that if the mouth sores last longer than ten days, it is best to see a doctor. Mouth sores that last longer or recur are usually a sign of an underlying problem or illness.

That underlying problem can be a simple as a bad diet or high stress levels. This will require a change in lifestyle. In more serious cases, mouth sores can also be a side-effect of lupus or cancer.