What Are the Causes of Mouth Sores and How to Handle Them?
Mouth sores are a very common dental complaint. They can appear for a variety of reasons. Most commonly, they are a collection or bacteria on the gums, lips, inner cheeks or tongue. They are frequently caused by accidentally biting down on the cheeks or lip, grinding of the jaws or irritation from orthodontic equipment such as retainers or braces. Consuming extremely hot or cold food or beverages can stimulate sores to erupt as well. In extreme cases, anxiety, stress, immune weakness or even low vitamin counts can cause such sores as well.
Is my mouth sore routine or dangerous?
Majority of people experience dozens of mouth sores within their lifetime which can heal naturally, however, individuals who suffer from underlying health issues (ex: autoimmune disease) need the help of a dentist to diagnose and treat these sores safely and properly. In some cases, they are simply uncomfortable and in others, they are dangerous like some of the cold sores.
A Bigger Problem
In some cases, mouth sores can be quite dangerous and even develop into ulcers. Unfortunately, the specific causes of most mouth ulcers is not yet known. Stress or injury to the oral tissue is believed to be the root cause of simple mouth ulcers. Additionally, many everyday foods, including citrus or high-acidity fruits and even vegetables (lemons, oranges, pineapples, apples, tomatoes and strawberries, etc.) can trigger a mouth ulcer to begin developing, or make the existing sores much more irritated. When left untreated, these ulcers can cause a variety of oral infections and even leave painful, permanent scarring within the mouth.
Helpful home remedies
Several common home remedies include rinsing the mouth with an antiseptic rinse or a glass or warm water with salt. This will help clean the area of interest and fight existing bacteria. If the cause of the sore is a burn, consuming cold foods may help alleviate pain or discomfort. Dental professionals highly advise avoiding any very spicy or acidic foods when a sore is present, as these may cause further irritation.
Turn To The Experts
Just like almost any other medical condition, there comes a point when professional help is necessary. At Esthetix Dental Spa, we examine, diagnose and come up with comprehensive treatment plans for all oral ailments. Additionally, we devise potential routine and/or lifestyle changes that will keep you smiling! Call us today for an evaluation at 212-795-9675!
If a sore exists beyond one or two weeks, you should contact your dentist. He or she will perform an extensive evaluation and treat you with procedures you require.
