Canker Sores - Causes and Treatment
As I write this article, I’m running my tongue on one of the three sores I have right now. This actually causes stress sometimes. A friend of mine was also complaining about having them, so I decided to write an article about canker sores and its causes and treatment.
First of all, what are these sores? Well, they are small, white sores that form in the mouth of a person. They commonly appear inside the cheeks, under the tongue, or on your gums. If left untreated, they go away in seven to ten days.
Possible causes of canker sores are:
- fatigue
- food allergies
- menstrual periods
- stress
- weakened immune system
- biting the tongue or cheek or lips
- chewing sharp bits of food such as nachos
- nutritional problems or deficiencies
- genetics
Some doctors recommend applying ice to the canker sore, avoiding food that is irritating, and rinsing your mouth with over-the-counter preparations such as diluted hydrogen peroxide or elixir of Benadryl. Some people find relief by rinsing the mouth with a solution of ½ teaspoon of salt in 8 ounces of water.
In my case, I go to a drugstore and ask if they have canker sore drops. It’s medicine specifically for these types of mouth sores. You use a cotton bud and dip it into the solution, then put it on the sore for 20 seconds. That would be 20 secods of excrutiating pain, but after that the sore is healed.
