Home Skin Care Articles Canker Sores Canker Sore Prevention
Canker Sore Prevention
Skin Care - Canker Sores

Canker Sore Prevention


Many factors can cause the appearance of canker sores on one’s mouth. Canker sores are mouth ulcers that are usually very painful. These sores may be very irritating because they can make it hard for a person to drink, eat, and talk. It can also be very uncomfortable when you brush your teeth because you would want to avoid the pain of accidentally scraping it. It can cause you to take a long time to brush your teeth, as you have to avoid these sores. But don’t worry, canker sores do not have to stay for a long time. In fact, you can reduce the chances of getting them at all! Here are some things you can do to reduce the chances of getting canker sores.

It is very important to take care of the inside of your mouth in order to avoid canker sores. Injuries to the mouth can turn into these painful mouth blisters, no matter how shallow the injury may be. These injuries can be filled with bacteria, causing the ulcers. It can also cause the blisters to swell. To avoid injuries while eating, chew your food slowly and carefully. Eating rapidly can cause you to accidentally bite the insides of your cheek or your tongue. When brushing your teeth, brush gently and use only toothbrushes with soft bristles.

Acidic foods and foods with rough textures that can be abrasive to the soft lining of the mouth are also believed to cause canker sores. Some examples of acidic foods are nuts, tomatoes, and citrus fruits. Some examples of foods with rough textures are hard or dried bread crusts and potato chips.

Tobacco and alcohol can also contribute to the growth of canker sores in the mouth. It has been established many times before that tobacco is bad for the health, and it can mess with the mouth’s environment thus leading to canker sore development. Chewing tobacco, in particular, makes a person especially prone to having canker sores. Regular consumption of alcohol can also significantly increase the likelihood of developing these sores. Moderation is the key if you can’t avoid these substances altogether.

Finally, proper dental hygiene is essential in preventing the proliferation of canker sores. Make sure that you floss and brush your teeth after every meal. It also helps to gargle with mouthwash that has antibacterial agents. Visits to the dentist must be scheduled regularly, at least every six months. Canker sores can also be caused by lack of proper nutrition. If you believe that you have taken all the precautions discussed above and still developed canker sores, this may be a symptom of an underlying health issue. Contact your medical practitioner immediately.