When Are Canker Sores Serious and What Causes Them?

Every now and then we experience little, red sores on our gums that are generally harmless, but are very painful when we eat, drink or talk. These inconvenient and annoying little things are one of the most common dental problems called canker sores.

Here are the following canker sore situations that need a dentist’s attention:

● The sores are accompanied by a high fever ● It is difficult to drink ● The sores last for more than two weeks ● The sore/s is more than one centimetre in diametre, which is unusually large

for a canker sore

There are actually many reasons why people get canker sores and here are a few examples:

● Food and drinks that are too hot can burn the surface of the mouth and eventually lead to a canker sore.

● Canker sores are also sometimes a reaction to an irritation caused by certain spicy or acidic foods.

● Chewing tobacco can release chemicals in the mouth that are irritants and can trigger the sores.

Dentures, whether complete or partial, can cause sores if they don’t fit very well. This is because they can constantly rub on the gums that will eventually cause an irritation.

The sores are common on people who have orthodontic brackets or bands like braces since there’s a constant friction between the brackets or bands and the gums.

A person who is allergic to certain metals like nickel can often experience canker sores when they get braces to straighten their teeth.

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