Mouth Sores

What are They?

Mouth sores are painful and unpleasant and there are many things that can cause them such as bacterial, viral or fungal infections. A loose orthodontic wire, a denture that doesn’t fit, or a sharp edge from a broken tooth or filling make these unhappy sores appear.

They often times appear because you have some other disease or ailment. At our Seattle Dentist Eastside Bellevue Dentist office we are specialists in this area and its treatment. If you suffer from mouth sores please call us at (425) 454-2005 to schedule an appointment. We can help you solve your problem.

Common Types of Sores

Cold Sores

Cold Sores, or Herpes simplex, are groups of painful, liquid-filled blisters that can be very unpleasant. They will often show up around the lips and sometimes under the nose or around the chin. Unfortunately, if they are caused by herpes virus type 1 they are very contagious. Sometimes, when you are first infected with cold sores, you might think you have a cold or flu. You might also have sores appear throughout the mouth. Cold sores tend to last 10-14 days.

Canker Sores

Canker Sores are small ulcers that are white or grey at the bottom and red around the edges. Canker sores only show up inside the mouth. One good thing about canker sores is they are not contagious. You can have one or many and unfortunately, they seem to come back quite often. No one really knows exactly what causes them but they certainly can be very uncomfortable. Some issues that seem to be associated with canker sores are covered next.

Why do Canker Sores Appear?

If you are tired, stressed out or you have allergies, you are more likely to see canker sores appear in your mouth. Also, if you have started to take a new medicine, you may have a drug reaction that produces mouth sores, which could include canker sores. You may also be more likely to see canker sores if you bite your cheek or cut the inside of your mouth or if you eat or drink something hot and you have a reaction. Sometimes other diseases like ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease also seem to make some people prone to canker sores. Also if you have allergies to walnuts, chocolate, dairy products, fermented beverages such as beer and wine, wheat and many other foods you may experience canker sores as an allergic reaction.

What can you do to Help Alleviate Canker Sores?

Canker sores usually heal by themselves in 7-10 days, but an outbreak may happen. Over-the-counter topical anesthetics and antimicrobial mouth rinses may help alleviate the pain in the short-term stay away from hot, spicy or acidic foods that can bother the sore.

Leukoplakia

Leukoplakia is described as a whitish change in the color and texture of your oral tissues. It may occur in any part of the mouth. Leukoplakia is caused by excess cell growth and it has a higher likelihood of appearing among tobacco users than those who don’t use tobacco. They can come from irritations such as an improperly fitting dentures or if you have a habit of chewing on the inside of your cheek. A serious concern is that leukoplakia can become worse and turn into cancer. You may need a biopsy if the condition warrants. If you think you have these symptoms then please call us at (425) 454-2005 to schedule an appointment.

Candidiasis

This fungal infection (also called moniliasis or oral thrush) happens when the yeast Candida albicans reproduce in large numbers. People who wear dentures see this more often and it most often happens in people who are very young, elderly, debilitated by disease, or who have an immune disorder. People who have dry mouth syndrome (Xerostomia) are very susceptible to candidiasis. Candida may appear after receiving antibiotics. Antibiotics kill all the bacteria including the normal bacteria in the mouth. The normal oral flora pattern is changed with a reduction in some bacteria and an overgrowth of yeast.

The best way to handle candidiasis is to prevent it from appearing in the first place. Good oral hygiene is essential, which means brushing your teeth and flossing at least twice per day. If you wear dentures, take them off at night and soak them in a denture cleanser to get rid of the Candida.

Contact Us

We are specialists at our Seattle Dentist Eastside Bellevue Dentist office in treating mouth sores. If you think you have any of these symptoms or any other mouth sore, please contact us at (425) 454-2005 to schedule an appointment.