Get the lowdown on canker sores

Canker sores are uncomfortable, painful and annoying! These sores often pop up out of nowhere and make it difficult to eat and drink. Doctors aren’t sure of the specific reason why people get these sores, which are actually small, shallow ulcers in the mouth, but there are ways that you can often kick them away before they even appear.  People between the ages of 10 and 40 typically suffer from these mouth sores, but they have been seen in individuals of all ages.

A canker sore starts with a red bump inside of your mouth and it will often cause a burning or tingling sensation. It will eventually turn into a yellow, white or grayish sore with a red border. There are several different types of canker sores, and it’s possible to get more than one at a time! There are also many different reasons why you might get a canker sore, but they are often caused by stress, fatigue and certain foods. Foods that are high in acid are often major culprits of canker sores! Ever feel like your tongue or cheeks are burning after eating an orange or pineapple? That could be a canker sore. However, canker sores are rarely very serious and are not contagious.

Simple canker sores
If you are suffering from canker sores, they are probably simple canker sores. These types of sores usually pop up about three or four times a year and they last about a week. Simple canker sores usually appear in individuals between the ages of 10 and 20.

Complex canker sores
Complex canker sores are much less common than simple, but often occur in people that get them all the time. If you find yourself suffering from canker sores, it might be difficult to eat your favorite foods. Make sure to use a natural toothpaste and an alcohol free mouthwash that won’t cause any additional issues in your mouth.

Canker sore or cold sore?
Some people are often confused whether they have a canker sore or cold sore in their mouth. But there are a few simple ways to tell the difference between these mouth issues. The number one reason why it is so important to determine whether you are suffering from a cold sore or canker sore is that cold sores are extremely contagious! Cold sores are painful lesions located in the mouth and on the lips. Sometimes people think that a cold sore is just a part of a cold or the flu, but if you see white fluid-filled blisters in or around your mouth, it is likely a cold sore. Luckily, both of these sores usually fade away on their own, but there are a few ways to prevent them from even popping up!

Kick ‘em before they appear
There are several preventative measures that you can take before canker sores even appear. For example, watch what you eat. If you feel that citrus or spicy foods always seem to cause mouth sores, try to avoid eating these things. If you love spicy food, just keep it to a minimum. By choosing to eat healthy foods, you'll be intaking lots of nutrients that will help protect your mouth.

If you are looking for a treatment of canker sores, it’s important to use special toothpaste that doesn’t contain SLS. Using a natural toothpaste will help any sore heal because it doesn’t have any additives that could potentially cause irritation and make the situation worse. Using alcohol free mouthwash will also help keep your entire mouth healthy and clean. To boot, this will help eliminate bad breath and other mouth issues that you may not even be aware of.