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If you experience frequent or painful mouth sores, you’re certainly not alone. Take comfort in the fact that help is available through the care of Kathleen Torres, DDS, Marii Malagayo, DDS, and the skilled team at Reality Bites Dental in San Antonio, Texas. When you’re ready to find lasting relief from mouth sores, booking a visit is fast and easy whether you choose to connect with the practice online or by phone.
Mouth Sores Treatment Q & A
What causes mouth sores?
Mouth sores are small, shallow ulcers that develop on your lips, tongue, inner cheeks, gums, or the roof of your mouth. Virtually everyone will experience some form of mouth sore at one point or another, although some people seem to experience mouth sores more frequently than others.
Several different mouth sores can develop, including:
- Canker sores
- Oral thrush
- Oral lichen planus
- Erythroplakia
- Leukoplakia
In rare instances, mouth sores can be a sign of oral cancer.
Mouth sores can develop as a result of braces, dental treatments, stress, hormonal fluctuations, certain toothpastes, or even accidentally biting your tongue or cheek tissue. Very often, there’s no clear cause of mouth sores.
How are mouth sores treated?
Many mouth sores will eventually go away on their own without treatment. Some, however, require professional intervention to heal more rapidly and reduce discomfort.
Your dentist will assess your mouth sores and discuss your previous experiences with these types of ulcers. In some cases, an antiseptic rinse or gel is used to treat mouth sores. Your dentist might also recommend a steroid ointment to control bacteria.
Severe cases of mouth sores may require immunosuppressive medications to get the condition under control. If you are prescribed any form of medication, be sure to follow your dentist’s advice throughout the process.
Low-level laser therapy is also an effective means of treating certain mouth ulcers, especially aphthous ulcers. These treatment lasers don’t cut or ablate targeted oral tissues but instead stimulate your body’s innate healing reaction.
When is the right time to seek treatment for mouth sores?
Mouth sores can be very uncomfortable, making it hard to concentrate on your normal daily routines. This discomfort can also make it challenging to complete your oral hygiene routine.
If you experience frequent mouth sores or develop a sore that’s painful or large, reach out to the team at Reality Bites Dental right away to schedule a diagnostic visit. Because mouth sores can also be a sign of oral cancer, having an ulcer evaluated by a dental professional is an important part of preserving your overall health and wellness.
If you need to book a visit, feel free to call the office during normal business hours. You can also set up an appointment online using the easy booking tool, which is available 24 hours a day.
