3 May 2012Treatment for Canker Sores
Usually, canker sores do not need any treatment and heal on their own. But if they do not get better for more than two weeks, a dentist must be consulted.
Immediate dentist consultation is required for the following serious developments in the canker sores:
- If the size of the sore increases more than normal.
- If there is severe pain.
- If the sores are associated with high fever.
- If they begin to appear frequently.
- If they fail to heal after two weeks.
- If the sores get infected.
Once the dentist is consulted, he advises treatment according to the severity and type of canker sores. The treatment regimen includes pain killers, mouth rinses and antibiotics. Corticosteroid mouth rinses are also used in some cases
Any home remedies?
There are some home remedies which are of course, not an alternative for proper treatment but can help in relieving pain and discomfort.
- Mouth rinses by salt and/or baking soda solutions in water. These rinses help by reducing the acidity in the mouth.
- Application of hydrogen peroxide swabs on the sores as an antiseptic.
- Milk of magnesia swabs reduce pain and promote healing.
- Use of commercial, over the counter antiseptic mouth wash rinses.