What Do I Do If I Have a Mouth Ulcer?
A mouth ulcer can make it difficult to eat, drink, or talk. Unfortunately, even a small sore can be extremely painful (even when harmless). At Sand Dollar Dental, we help with mouth ulcers in Foley, AL. We can help determine the cause of an ulcer and give you the tips you need to help it heal, so you can feel better soon.
What Causes Mouth Ulcers?
Mouth ulcers (also called canker sores) can occur for any number of reasons. Sometimes, they happen because of accidentally biting the cheek. Other times, they can be caused by a lack of sleep, eating spicy or citrusy foods, wearing ill-fitted dental appliances, or having nutrient deficiencies.
How Can You Heal a Mouth Ulcer?
Mouth ulcers can be very painful, so it is important to take steps to heal them as soon as possible. A few steps you can take include:
- Rinsing out your mouth with warm salt water a few times each day
- Avoiding spicy, crunchy, and acidic foods while the ulcer heals
- Switching to a soft-bristled brush
- Applying numbing gels and using anti-inflammatory medications to help your mouth feel better
- Eating soft, bland foods
When Should You Call the Dentist?
If your ulcer doesn’t start improving after two weeks, is very large, or heals and then returns, it’s important to talk to your dentist. There could be an underlying issue that needs to be addressed to keep the ulcer from coming back.
Visit Sand Dollar Dental in Foley, AL
If you’re dealing with a painful mouth ulcer that won’t go away or that is preventing you from eating or drinking, call us today at Sand Dollar Dental in Foley, AL for relief. We will aim to find the underlying cause and give you the information you need to calm the ulcer down, let it heal, and get back to normal.
