Cancer Sored

Canker Sores
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What is it?
 Canker Sores- open sores that form inside the mouth, painful, small, round
white spot with a red border, usually forms on soft, loose tissue
 Causes- injury to the inside of the mouth, certain foods or beverages,
stress, infection, genetic tendency to get canker sores, female hormones
 Usually Heal- 7 to 10 days, do not leave scars
Signs and Symptoms:
 Pain- worse if the tongue rubs the sore, fever, swollen neck glands, general
run-down feeling
Facts:
 Prevention- Chew slowly, carefully; use a soft-bristle toothbrush brushing
gently and thoroughly;
 Canker Sores- resemble herpes simplex virus
What can I do?
 See your Health Care Provider- use a canker sore medication to protect the
sore, speed healing and ease the pain; if a reoccurrence or is painful; if
white spots in the mouth and are not improving after 1 week
 Rinse Mouth- antacid (Mylanta or Maalox), baking soda and water may
relieve the pain
 See RD for help as needed- add buttermilk, yogurt, may use a mouth rinse,
lidocaine, carboxymethylcellulose, tetracycline mouthwash, corticosteroid
ointment or with severe episodes use prednisone tablets or
dexamethasone mouth rinse
 See FFF RD on line for help
 AVOID- chewing on toothpicks, plastic straws, plastic utensils and other
objects; smoking and tobacco products, caffeine, alcohol, spicy foods, salty
foods, citrus foods (any fruits with sections-orange, grapefruits, lemons,
limes, etc...), tomato based products when you have open sores in the
mouth