Canker Sores – A Constant Irritation
Have you been plagued with canker sores and wondered what you can do to prevent them?
Canker sores, also known as aphthous ulcers, can be a constant issue that is difficult to prevent and tiresome. Typically, they appear when you’re tired, stressed, and malnourished. Large doses of sun and alcohol consumption can also be culprits. Within the last few years, there have been studies indicating that sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) – found in many toothpastes – can predispose you to canker sores.
A commonly overlooked reason for canker sores is mechanical in nature. A rough spot on night guard, denture, orthodontic retainer, or Invisalign aligner can be the catalyst for the formation of the sore. There are also instances where a sharp edge of a tooth will cause a canker sore in the exact same location of the tongue or cheek. This, of course, is easy to identify and fixed by smoothing down the tooth.
If the canker sore appears in the same spot each time, come and see us at Hannon & Sandler, and have the doctor identify any sharp areas that are abrading the area and have him round or smooth the sharp spot on the tooth.
Here are some common canker sore fixes:
- Sleep eight hours a night
- Manage your stress
- Eat well
- Take vitamins (especially the B’s)
- Drink less alcohol
- Monitor your diet and cut back on spicy and acidic foods
- Do not use products in your mouth that contain SLS
As always, if you have the constant irritation from canker sores, let us know during your next dental appointment. We will review all the possible triggers and come up with a plan suited just for you!
