Why canker sores are white

Consider adding a bit of baking soda to your saltwater mix, as it is alkaline and will also help neutralize acids.

Chewable Tums, Pepto-Bismol, and Rolaids were made specifically to help neutralize digestive enzymes and acids, which means they work for more than just your upset stomach. These chewables will also help ease the pain of your canker sore if you place the tablet directly on the sore.

Make sure to follow dosage directions on the label. Like saltwater, Aloe Vera is another one of those cure-all remedies. The plant possesses a lot of natural anti-inflammatory properties, which is why it feels so good on a sunburn. Dab a little bit of natural aloe gel not the green kind from the store on the sore to help relieve the pain and speed up the healing process. You can pick up Alum, a common spice used in pickling, at your local grocery store.

Alum functions to draw the water out of the sore so it can heal quickly. Apply Alum topically to your canker sore, and let it sit there for about 60 seconds. If you are having recurring issues with canker sores, you should consider talking to your dentist. They may prescribe a prescription toothpaste, or a special antibacterial mouthwash to help with your symptoms.

If you are in an abnormal amount of pain, or are experiencing an unusual amount of canker sores, it might be time to go see a doctor. Sometimes canker sore-like symptoms can be linked to more serious conditions. Are canker sores getting you down?

Facebook RSS. What Are Canker Sores? Doctors do agree that they are probably genetic, and a few suspected causes of canker sores are: Hormone-related, specifically for women Injuries, like when you bite your lip Braces, which can cause abrasions on the inside of your mouth Acidic food or drinks like orange juice Lack of vitamins like iron, B12, and folic acid Food allergies Excessive stress What else should you know about them?

Canker sores are not the same as cold sores. Follow simple home remedies to relieve pain and discomfort. If the condition is severe, get help from your doctor. Schedule an appointment with Pearland Family Dentistry at What Causes Painful Sores? The main causes of canker sore formation are: Poor Oral Hygiene: Brushing and flossing regularly keeps your teeth clean and kills harmful bacteria. Not doing so can deteriorate your oral health and make you prone to diseases. Oral Injuries: sports injuries, brushing your teeth vigorously, cuts from braces, and dentures can also cause canker sores.

Food Allergies: Eating spicy and acidic foods, tea, coffee, berries, eggs, cheese, nuts can cause allergic reactions and form sores. Toothpaste and Mouth rise: Both containing sodium lauryl sulfate can be the reason behind canker sores in some people.

Are Canker Sores Contagious As compared to cold sores, canker sores are noncontagious inflammations. If you get canker sores around exam time or some other big event in your life, it may be a sign of how much stress you're under. Mouth injuries like biting the inside of the lip or even brushing too hard and damaging the delicate lining inside the mouth also seem to bring on canker sores. Sodium lauryl sulfate SLS , an ingredient in many toothpastes and mouthwashes, has been linked to canker sores, and sometimes the sores can be a sign of an immune system problem.

Finally, not getting the right nutrition such as not getting enough iron or vitamin B12 also might contribute to some cases of canker sores. Canker sores are fairly common, but that doesn't mean they should be ignored. If you have sores that last longer than 2 weeks or you can't eat or drink because of the pain, call your doctor. Also call if you get the sores more than two or three times a year. Usually, no tests are needed to diagnose canker sores. Your doctor can identify them based on your medical history and physical exam alone.

In some cases, doctors may want to do blood tests to find out if another condition — like a vitamin deficiency, a problem with your immune system, or even a food allergy — could be contributing to the sores. Most canker sores will heal on their own in a few days to a couple of weeks. While you're waiting for them to disappear, you can take an over-the-counter pain reliever like ibuprofen or acetaminophen for the pain.

You'll also want to watch what you eat. Spicy foods and acidic foods such as lemons or tomatoes can be extremely painful on these open wounds. Stay away from hard, scratchy, or crunchy foods like nuts, toast, pretzels, or potato chips for a while. They can poke or rub the sore. Be careful when you brush your teeth.

Brush and rinse with toothpastes and mouthwashes that don't contain SLS.