Canker sores are very small and shallow lesions that appears on the soft tissue in the mouth or at the base of the gums. Canker sores do not occur on the face or the lips and they are not contagious, but they are painful and can make eating a difficult task. Canker sores just heal on their own in a week or more.
Symptoms of canker sores
Canker sores form inside the mouth that are round or oval with a white or yellow center and the borders that are red and sometimes they occur under the tongue, inside the cheeks or lips, at the base of the gums and also in the soft palate. There is a tingling or a burning sensation a day or more before the sores will occur.
If you want to properly manage this condition, it is best to register for first aid training today so that you know what to do.
Various types of canker sores
·        Minor canker sores are usually small in size, oval-shaped and capable of healing with scarring within 1-2 weeks and it is the most prevalent form of canker sores.
·        A major canker sore is uncommon with irregular edges and bigger and deeper than the minor canker sores and takes six weeks of healing and leaves extensive scarring.
·        Herpetiform canker sore have irregular edges, occurring in clusters of 10 to 100 sores, the size are pinpoint, it heals without the development of scarring in one to weeks and develops later in life.
Causes of canker sores
·        Tooth paste and mouth rinse that contains sodium lauryl sulphate
·        A minor injury to the mouth caused from dental works.
·        Canker sores can be caused by sensitivity to chocolates, coffee, eggs, nuts, strawberries, cheese and highly acidic foods like pineapple.
·        Diets that are not rich in Vitamin B-12, zinc, folate or folic acid or iron
Treatment and home remedies
·        Make a mixture of baking soda and salt water; dissolve 1 teaspoon of soda in ½ cup warm water or 1 teaspoon Benadryl to 1 part Kaopectate or 1 part Maalox. Use this mixture in rinsing the mouth; make sure that the individual will spit out the mixture after rinsing.
·        Cover canker sores with a mixture of baking soda and small amounts of water, enough to make a paste.
·        Dab milk of magnesia on the canker sores
·        Take an over-the-counter medicine that has numbing agent such as benzocaine like Anbesol and Orajel.
·        Use a soft toothbrush and brush the teeth and use toothpaste without foaming agents Avoid eating abrasive, spicy and acidic foods
·        Dissolve ice cubes over the canker sores
Prevention
1.   Observe good oral hygiene habits every day.
2.   Avoid foods that cause irritation in the mouth
3.   Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables
4.   Provide good braces and dental appliances for the teeth
5.   Do not chew food and talk at the same time
6.   Reduce the level of stress