Canker sores can be excruciating and seem to last for weeks. Recognizing trigger points that might result in canker sores is a good first step in prevention; unfortunately the origin of canker sores cannot be attributed to a single food, act or event. Your dentist should be consulted if canker sores are persistent (lasting longer than three weeks) or if a fever is present.

Canker sores form on the soft tissue inside the mouth. They are thought to occur due to a break in the mucous membrane in cheeks or on the tongue, roof of the mouth or even near the throat.  Most canker sores are small in size, and might appear as a whitish circle or oval at their onset. The discomfort that accompanies these mouth sores can be responsible for disrupting day to day life due to difficulty in eating and speaking.

Canker sores can range from a minor ulcer to a severe outbreak that ultimately requires professional treatment to heal.

Although girls seem to suffer this malady more often than boys, hormones do not seem to have a direct correlation. A primary cause can be more directly related to mouth trauma like abrasions from braces or even something as insignificant as a corn chip scraping against tissue can initiate the onset of a canker sore.

Once canker sores appear, they are likely to reoccur. Some patients report that they are troubled with canker sores monthly while others might suffer only a few times per year. Frequent sufferers might experiment with their diet to eliminate foods that seem to trigger canker sores like citrus fruits or spicy foods.

Other potential causes that should be considered are sleep habits, stress and diets deficient of the nutrients to keep the mouth and body in good health.

But since mouth trauma is a known cause for a canker sore to develop, steps you can take for prevention include:

• People who wear braces can place wax over areas that rub against soft tissue
• Take care when brushing to avoid an accidental bump with your toothbrush
• Be more aware when eating foods that might cause an abrasion

If canker sores do develop, our dental team serving North Dallas can provide a variety of products that might bring relief. Mouthwashes and medications are available that may help ease discomfort, but will not actually heal the sores – only time can do that.

Pregnant women often have a more serious focus on their own health to ensure a healthy baby, too. They’ll increase their intake of vitamins and improve their diets to provide a good nutritional base for the baby’s development in the uterus.

Regular appointments with an obstetrician obviously become a priority, but pregnant women should also follow up with a dentist as well to ensure a healthy pregnancy.

Patients are sometimes unaware that oral health can have an effect on pregnancy, but diseases of the mouth can cause problems for expectant mothers. For example, periodontal disease has been linked to pre-eclampsia (high blood pressure during pregnancy), pre-term births and low birth weight.

The hormonal changes associated with pregnancy can also fuel the growth of oral bacteria, leading to issues such as pregnancy gingivitis or oral tumors.

To prevent such negative outcomes, it’s important for pregnant women to seek care from a dentist.

For cleanings and other routine dental care, pregnant women need to be more precise than most patients about the timing of a visit to the dentist. Expectant mothers should avoid dental procedures during the first and third trimesters unless the issue is an emergency.  If possible, women should not get x-rays during pregnancy to prevent negative effects from the radiation.

Women who are considering getting pregnant should schedule a dental cleaning and examination so that any potential problems with the teeth or gums can be treated in advance of the pregnancy.

The dentist can also make recommendations for a home oral hygiene routine that will help protect the health of a pregnant woman and her fetus. Just as with any patient, twice daily brushing and daily flossing is essential, and the dentist may also suggest an antibacterial mouthwash as an additional precaution.

Your pregnancy is an exciting time, filled with many preparations to give your baby the best start possible. Be sure that a trip to the dentist—at the right time—is on your pre-baby to-do list!

Call our North Dallas office at 972-458-2464 to schedule your appointment.