Medical Care for Mouth Sores

Because the severity of mouth sores can vary widely depending on the cause, it is possible to treat them with home remedies where the conditions are not so severe. However, if the condition worsens it is always advisable to seek out professional medical care.

Mouth sores that appear as swollen lumps are painful but don’t last more than ten days are not considered serious. Although, if a person does experience a regular re-occurrence of mouth sores, for instance every month, it is advisable to visit the doctor.

There are two main types of less serious mouth sores. The first types are cold sores. Cold sores are a strain of the herpes virus and appear on the lips. Once a person contracts the herpes virus, it remains in their system for the rest of their lives.

Cold sores will then appear on the lips at times when the sufferer is under stress. If the cold sore is caught at the early stages, which begins with a tingling sensation on the lip, it can be treated with Zovirax.

The other kind of mouth sore requires more attention and is known as a canker sore or mouth ulcer. These can begin as bumps or lesions in the cheek, tongue or palate. They are caused by a variety of factors including accidentally biting down on these areas.

They can also be the result of loose dentures, orthodontic braces or jagged teeth. If the mouth sores are present due to the existence of any of these conditions, it is necessary to visit the dentist in order to rectify the situation.

If left untreated these sores can worsen dramatically, becoming open wounds and making it very difficult to either eat or drink.

If the mouth sores are causing a lot of pain it is likely that a doctor may suggest a mild anaesthetic such as dyclonine or lidocaine, which can be used as a mouth wash. However, this will make swallowing difficult, so medical supervision may also be required.

It’s possible to get Lidocaine in a thicker liquid form, which can then be dabbed directly onto the infected area with a cotton swab. If the doctor is confident that the mouth sore has not been caused by an infection, it is likely that corticosteroid gel can be used to treat the mouth sore.

To permanently rid the mouth of mouth sores, laser is the most effective treatment.