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When you bite into your sandwich during lunch, do you feel yourself biting into something else as well? Millions of people have to deal with these frustrating white bumps on the insides of their mouth all the time, but more often than not, they don’t know how to deal with them.

In fact, many people become very concerned because they don’t recognize them! To learn what these white bumps are and how to remove them, keep reading this blog from a dentist in Oak Hill.

WHAT ARE CANKER SORES?

Canker sores are technically ulcers that come in two different forms. These include simple and complex canker sores.

Simple canker sores can appear three to four times a year and usually last for about a week without treatment. Luckily, these sores don’t require intervention and will go away on their own, unless they are irritated by food or accidentally bitten into.

Complex canker sores occur more often in people who regularly have them. They are considered less common, can last up to a month, and even leave behind a scar if large enough.

HOW DO CANKER SORES APPEAR?

Surprisingly, doctors aren’t entirely sure where canker sores come from, but it’s currently believed that they can appear due to stress or tissue injuries. Canker sores can also appear after consuming certain citric or acidic foods, such as oranges, lemons, pineapples, and hot sauce.  Additionally, certain dental devices like metal braces or ill-fitting dentures can poke oral tissue, causing an injury and eventually create sores that way.

Interestingly, only 20 percent of the U.S. population is capable of getting canker sores, which suggests that genetics is related to their occurrence. However, it’s believed that girls are more prone to them due to fluctuations in their hormones.

HOW DO I GET RID OF THEM?

Even though canker sores usually go away on their own, it’s understandable if you want to get rid of yours as soon as possible. The next time you’re inconvenienced by a canker sore and you simply can’t take it anymore, consider the following steps.

• Create a mixture that’s equal parts hydrogen peroxide and water. You can also combine half a teaspoon of salt and half a teaspoon of baking soda with 4 ounces of water. Both mixtures make effective mouth rinses and can be used to rinse the mouth out four times a day.
• If you’re experiencing pain, apply Orajel or Kank-A directly to the canker sore. These are both numbing agents.
• If the canker sore still isn’t gone after two weeks, you may need an antimicrobial mouth rinse prescribed by a doctor.

Do you have a stubborn canker sore and need help removing it? Schedule an appointment today!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Dr. Jack Fan earned his dental degree from the New York University College of Dentistry. He always pays close attention to abnormalities that appear in the mouth and gives patients his professional opinion on the next best steps when seeking treatment. To learn more about his practice, contact him through his website.