Canker Sores
Mouth sores in kids are painful and scary, especially since even dentists don’t understand what causes them. While they usually go away by themselves within two or three weeks, they cause pain and suffering during the time they’re active. For the most effective canker sore treatment, turn to the experts at Tiny Smiles Pediatric Dentistry — in Woodbridge, New Jersey, in Harlem and on the Lower East Side of Manhattan. They know how to cure canker sores and stop them from returning. Call the practice today to schedule an exam.
What Are Canker Sores in Kids?
Canker sores, also known as aphthous ulcers, are small sores that develop on the soft tissues in a child’s mouth, including inside the cheek, on the lips, at the base of the gums and on or under the tongue. A canker sore in kids, which happens between the ages of 10 and 19, creates a painful condition that affects your chi-ld’s mood and increases the risk of infection.
If your child complains about pain in the mouth, visit a pediatric dentist for an exam. While a canker sore in kids goes away in about two weeks, the dis-comfort disrupts your child’s life so that eating comfortably and speaking clearly become problematic. The best pediatric dentists at Tiny Smiles Ped-iatric Dentistry — in W-oodbridge, New Jersey, and in Manhattan — offer pain-relieving canker sore treat-ment.
What Are the Signs of Canker Sores?
As a parent, you must differentiate canker sores from other sores, which helps you know when to contact your pediatric dentist. The differences between canker sores and cold sores include:
- Canker sores aren’t contagious.
- Canker sores aren’t caused by a virus or germs.
- Canker sores aren’t accompanied by a fever, unlike cold sores.
Children develop multiple oral health issues that have similar symptoms. When it comes to canker sores, you may risk misdiagnosing the condition, which is why you need the expertise of a trained pediatric dentist. To correctly identify canker sores, look for symptoms that include:
- White or yellow sores with a red border around them
- Round sores under the lips, inside the cheeks or under the tongue
- Pain caused by the sores
- A tingling sensation as a new sore develops
- Extreme pain when eating or drinking
- Sores that pop alone or sometimes in clusters
If your child complains about mouth pain, do a visual check and contact your New York City or New Jersey pediatric dentist. Your dentist has the best tools to assess the dental issue and provide a diagnosis. The experts at Tiny Smiles Pediatric Dentistry know how to cure canker sores in children.
What Can Cause a Canker Sore in Kids?
No one knows what causes canker sores in kids, but dentists have identified multiple risks for the development of these issues. Risks include:
Diets low in vitamin B-12, folic acid and iron may lead to canker sores.
During the canker sores treatment for kids, your dentist assesses food allergies because children with food allergies are prone to mouth
Irritation from sour or spicy foods is a risk factor for the development of canker sores.
Stressful events may cause canker sores in children.
If your child bites the soft tissue inside the mouth, a canker sore may develop.
Canker sores may run in your family.
Children and teenagers are at a higher risk of canker sores compared to adults. The start of menstrual periods for girls may also increase the risk of canker sores.
Some toothpastes and mouthwashes contain sodium lauryl sulfate, which may cause canker sores.
Dentists may refer your child to a physician to assess immune system issues.
Your NYC or NJ pediatric dental specialist explains everything you need to know about these open oral sores. When your child knows what’s happening and what’s causing it, treatment becomes easier to undergo and preventative habits are easier to nurture.
- Plaque and tartar
- Discolored Teeth
- Dental accidents, including facial traumas
- Misaligned, crooked or spaced-out teeth that require orthodontic care
- Bad breath
What Can Cause a Canker Sore in Kids?
Canker sores most often resolve themselves in two to three weeks. During a visit to your pediatric dentist’s office, you learn not how to cure canker sores in kids, but how to manage the sores to avoid the most severe pain. Dentist advice includes:
- Pain medication for your child
- Placing an ice cube directly on the child’s sore
- Brushing guidelines to avoid opening up the sores
- Using a straw to avoid touching the canker sore when drinking
- Eating soft foods
- Avoiding spicy foods
- Using a straw to avoid touching the canker sore when drinking
- A mineral-rich diet to treat iron or vitamin B12 deficiency, which prevents a recurrence of canker sores
If your child has severe or recurrent canker sores, let your dentist know during a checkup for further tests and effective canker sore treatment. At Tiny Smiles Pediatric Dentistry — in Harlem, on the Lower East Side or in Woodbridge, NJ, — friendly pediatric dentists put your child at ease for a comprehensive examination. Contact the best NJ pediatric dentist today for any oral health issues your child may be experiencing. They treat other common dental issues, as well, such as:
