Canker sores are irritating wounds in your mouth that make chewing, talking, and even moving your jaw incredibly painful. But you don’t have to suffer forever. Dr. Roopi Kattaura of Ardas Family Dental in Parker, CO, specializes in all things relating to the mouth, including pesky canker sores. Here’s everything you need to know about canker sores.
What Do Canker Sores Look Like?
Canker sores or mouth ulcers emerge as small shallow open wounds in the mouth. Usually appearing under the lips, tongue, or inside the cheeks, canker sores are red with a thin grey, yellow, or white film.
There are three types of canker sores: minor, major, and herpetiform sores. Minor canker sores are the most common type of mouth ulcer. Major and herpetiform sores are rarer, both with longer healing periods. Major canker sores may scar as they heal.
Causes
We don’t know exactly what causes canker sores, but your Parker, CO dentist rounded up some potential triggers:
- Stress
- Physical trauma like rough brushing, biting, or metal braces scratching around the gum line
- Poor dental hygiene
- Acidic and spicy foods
- Nutritional deficiencies like vitamin B12
- Sodium lauryl sulfate, commonly used in toothpaste
Treatment
Canker sores aren’t serious and certainly not contagious. Usually, these ulcers heal within 7-10 days, but if you get persistent canker sores or experience extreme pain, contact Ardas Family Dental for an appointment today.
Dr. Roopi Kattaura operates Ardas Family Dental at 10233 S Parker Rd, Suite 205, Parker, Colorado. Call 720-459-8420 or visit Ardas Family Dental and fill out a contact sheet.