You should call an emergency dentist if you have a mouth sore. Most mouth sores are harmless and they usually go away on their own after a few days or remain unchanged. However, if your mouth sore does not go away after about a week, you should contact a dentist. Some sores can be serious and require the attention of a health care practitioner.
Mouth sores can be annoying and painful. Some of them appear inside the mouth, particularly on the tongue, gums, cheeks, lips or palate whereas others can appear outside the mouth, under the nose and even on the chin. Mouth sores are often caused by oral cancer or viral, bacterial or fungal infections. Some common types of mouth sores are canker sores, leukoplakia, cold sores and candidiasis.
A canker sore is a small open wound or ulcer that appears in the mouth. The sore can make talking and eating uncomfortable. In rare cases, these sores can be very large. There may either be one or more ulcers and these sores recur at varying time periods.
The exact cause of these sores is not known. Things that may cause minor sores are stress and tissue injury. The sores can also be caused by particular foods and medications. Underlying health conditions, particular diseases and nutritional problems can increase the chances of a complex canker sore for some people.
Canker sores often begin as bumps or red spots. A person who has it may have sores in the mouth that are round, gray or white, with a red border. These sores are usually painful. A canker sore may produce a burning or tingling sensation before any other symptoms appear.
There is no permanent cure for these types of sores. Treatment for them is usually for pain or discomfort. Treatment for long-lasting, large or extremely painful sores may include oral medications, cautery, nutritional supplements and mouthwashes. Canker sores usually come back.
There are some measures a person can take to get them less frequently. Avoiding particular foods that irritate the mouth and chewing gum can help. People should brush their teeth after meals with a soft-bristled brush and floss daily. This will help keep the mouth free of any foods that may trigger sores.
Some sores are usually wider and deeper than others. The deeper ones often take a longer time to heal and can get infected. A person should see a dentist if canker sores are too painful and over-the-counter medications do not help. Seeing a dentist is also ideal if sores recur frequently, cause difficulty swallowing or eating or cause fever and swelling.
Mouth sores can be painful and some may be an indicator of something more serious. You should consult a dentist if your sore does not go away or if you suspect you have an infection. Other reasons to consult an emergency dentist are if your sores recur frequently, make it hard to eat or swallow or cause swelling and fever. If you have any questions about mouth sores, contact a dentist today.
Request an appointment here: https://www.newyorkdentaloffice.com or call New York Dental Office at (212) 548-3261 for an appointment in our New York office.
Check out what others are saying about our services on Yelp: Read our Yelp reviews.
Most healthy dental patients are recommended to visit the dentist for routine dental care, which can include undergoing a cleaning twice a year and obtaining periodic X-rays to ensure the absence of cavities, gum disease, and other common dental abnormalities. Speaking with a dentist and keeping track of hygiene routines at home are great ways…
Dental implants are a permanent, functional solution for patients with tooth loss in one or both dental arches. Both partial and full arch dental implants have become more accessible, customizable, and successful for a wide range of patients. However, they have different uses and candidacy requirements. Understanding the differences between these options helps clarify which…
For healthy teeth and gums, routine dental care is necessary. For most healthy people, two times a year is the recommended frequency for dentist appointments. This is typically adequate for deeper cleaning and preventive care. However, for some patients, more frequent appointments are necessary to manage certain issues and to prevent problems from becoming more…
Maintaining routine dental care is important for oral and overall health, but many patients have questions about what it consists of beyond daily brushing and flossing. The right answers can help patients of any age understand the importance of providing optimum care for their teeth and the possible issues if they fail to follow through.…
Most healthy dental patients are recommended to visit the dentist for routine dental care, which can include undergoing a cleaning twice a year and obtaining periodic X-rays to ensure the absence of cavities, gum disease, and other common dental abnormalities. Speaking with a dentist and keeping track of hygiene routines at home are great ways…
Dental implants are a permanent, functional solution for patients with tooth loss in one or both dental arches. Both partial and full arch dental implants have become more accessible, customizable, and successful for a wide range of patients. However, they have different uses and candidacy requirements. Understanding the differences between these options helps clarify which…
