Help for Mouth Sores

Dealing With Oral Lesions

Our Placerville dentists do more than clean teeth! The Placerville Dental Group also helps patients when they develop mouth sores and other irritations that make eating, speaking or talking painful. Canker sores and other oral lesions usually go away on their own in a week or two, but come see us for relief if you have a sore that won’t disappear. And if you come in before the lesion is fully erupted, we can shorten or even prevent its growth.

Why People Get Mouth Sores

Mouth sores happen for a few reasons:

• irritation from orthodontics or dentures that don’t fit correctly;
• a bacterial, viral or fungal infection;
• as a symptom of disease, like oral cancer.

For mouth sores that do not go away on their own, contact our Placerville dental office to check it out. Most of the time, there’s absolutely nothing to be worried about, so our staff will reassure you and give treatment tips to aid healing. If you need an orthodontic adjustment, we will do that too and improve the fit so there’s less discomfort.

Treatment for Oral Lesions

If you believe that an oral lesion is about to break out, the Placerville Dental Group offers laser treatment that speeds up the healing time. In these cases, it’s best to visit us immediately instead of “waiting it out.” If you can’t come to us in time for laser treatment, there are standard methods of dealing with most oral lesions:

• Canker sores are not contagious and their cause is not entirely clear, but these small white sores with a red border are possibly caused by a compromised immune system. Trauma to the mouth or stress may cause a canker sore to develop. These usually go away in seven to ten days on their own, but antibiotics and an oral bandage may be needed.
• Oral thrush is a fungal infection caused by the yeast Candida albicans as it reproduces exponentially. Oral thrush is a common condition for denture wearers and those with weakened immune systems. Babies, the elderly and patients with diabetes or leukemia are especially at risk for developing oral thrush. Good oral hygiene is very important, so if you wear removable dentures, always remove them at bedtime and clean them thoroughly. Store them carefully overnight in water. Anti-fungal medications are prescribed to treat oral thrush.
• Leukoplakias are thick, whitish-color patches that form on the inside of the cheeks, gums or on the tongue from too much cell growth. These patches are created by a combination of irritants, such as an ill-fitting orthodontic appliance, and other physical factors. Many tobacco users develop these patches, and they may or may not be an indicator of oral cancer. That’s why it’s best to visit the Placerville Dental Group for an oral exam to check such patches. Treatment begins with the recommendation to stop using tobacco. Replacing dentures or bridges that do not fit well is also needed, if this is determined to be the cause of the patches.

Our Placerville dentists and hygienists always recommend a healthy oral care routine at home. This usually prevents most mouth sores and other dental complications from cropping up. See us every six months for your exams and cleanings in addition to your home care to keep your mouth healthy!