Ouch, it hurts!
Canker sores, a seemingly inconspicuous minor problem, are often painful. Once there is a small wound in the mouth, it may cause ulcers, unbearable pain, inconvenience in eating and talking, and seriously affect the quality of life. So, how should we deal with canker sores?
Causes of canker sores
Canker sores, commonly known as "aphthous ulcers", are a condition that often develops in the mucous membranes of the mouth. It is mostly found on the medial lip, tongue, tongue, buccal mucosa, vestibular sulcus, soft palate and other parts.
The causes of canker sores are many and cannot be summarized by a single vitamin deficiency. The occurrence of canker sores is the result of a combination of factors, including local trauma, mental stress, food irritation, drug reactions, gastrointestinal disorders, changes in hormone levels, and vitamin or trace element deficiencies.
Among them, recurrent canker sores are the most common type. These sores recur and last for 7 to 10 days at a time, almost every month.
Oral ulcers generally grow one or several at a time, with a regular shape, round or oval shape, concave on the surface of the mucosa, with a clear border with the surrounding area, and obvious pain.
What to do about canker sores?
In general, oral mucosal ulcers, like hand, foot and mouth disease, are self-limited and resolve within 1 to 2 weeks. But if it really hurts, you can also go to the pharmacy and buy medicine to relieve it.
For the treatment of recurrent mouth ulcers, there are topical and internal medications. Clinically, oral ulcers are mainly treated locally, mainly to reduce inflammation and relieve pain, reduce pain or recurrence, and promote ulcer healing.
Drugs that can be used to treat oral ulcers include vitamin drugs, iodine glycerin, cedidine lozenges, metronidazole buccal tablets, dexamethasone acetate patches, metronidazole gargle, ice boron throat powder, stomatitis clear granules, etc. In addition, although there is no such indication in the instructions of montmorillonite powder (Smecta), it has been clinically proven to have a certain effect on the treatment of mouth ulcers.
The most commonly used topical treatments are antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory drugs (including oral cleansing and disinfectants) and vitamin supplements (B vitamins, vitamin C).
How to prevent canker sores
In addition to scientific treatment, daily prevention is also the key to staying away from canker sores. Here are some effective precautions:
- Keep your mouth clean: rinse your mouth after meals, brush your teeth in the morning and evening, and use dental floss, interdental brushes and other assists to clean the space between your teeth.
- Regular dental check-ups: Check up at least once a year to detect and treat oral problems in a timely manner.
- Reasonable control of diet: avoid spicy or irritating foods, consume more fresh vegetables and fruits, and supplement vitamins and trace elements in time.
- Avoid adverse irritation of the oral mucosa: such as quitting smoking and drinking, chewing less hard objects or eating less hot food, not chewing betel nut, etc.
Editor: Cheng Huanying, Wen Jialin
Editor-in-charge: Chen Guangtai