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Suffer from canker sores? We can help

John Bocchi

If you suffer from chronic canker sores, or even if you’ve only ever had one in your life, you know the discomfort and embarrassment that can result. Canker sores are a complex thing to understand, but Sierra Smiles Tahoe is here to help.

What causes a canker sore?

Unfortunately, we aren’t sure about a direct cause for canker sore formation. However, different things can trigger one in different people. Some common suspected causes include:



Stress

Mouth injury



Acidic food

Ill-fitting dentures or other dental appliance

How Do You Make a Canker Sore Go Away?

Typically canker sores go away on their own after about a week or two, but that can seem like forever. If you’re looking for a quicker recovery, there are some over-the-counter products designed to help. If they don’t work or if you can’t use them, we may recommend a corticosteroid or antimicrobial rinse. Can You Prevent a Canker Sore from Coming?

There’s no cure for a canker sore. You can only treat the symptoms until it runs its course. However, if you find a particular food causes a flare up, avoid it as much as possible. Acidic and spicy foods are common culprits. Canker sores also appear following an injury to the mouth’s soft tissues — typically from biting yourself while chewing.

Do You Need to See a Dentist?

Most of the time, canker sores heal without the need to visit a dentist. However, if you decide to use prescription-strength remedies, you should schedule an appointment. If these symptoms are present, consider seeing a dentist:

Bigger-than-normal sores

Sores that multiply

Anything that lasts longer than three weeks

Severe pain

If you notice any of the signs above or want to talk about your treatment options, give our dental office a call. We’re happy to help!

Healthy Tahoe is a look at health-related topics that shape our community and is made possible through content provided by our sponsors.


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