Treat Mouth Sores in Pretoria: MAC Dental Studio
Find relief from mouth sores with expert treatment at MAC Dental Studio in Pretoria. Comprehensive care for all types of oral lesions.
Exceptional Dental Care
With Skilled Professionals
Experience top-notch dental care with our dedicated team at Mac Dental Studios, where your health and comfort are our priorities.
1. Schedule Your Visit
Easily book your appointment through our user-friendly website and choose a time that fits your schedule.
2. Personalized Consultation
During your visit, our experienced dentists will thoroughly assess your dental health and discuss personalized treatment options with you.
3. Achieve Your Ideal Smile
We will create a customized treatment plan tailored to your needs, helping you achieve and maintain a healthy, beautiful smile.
Mouth Sores: The Problems We Solve
Mouth sores are painful lesions that can occur on the lips, gums, tongue, inner cheeks, or roof of the mouth.
They can interfere with eating, speaking, and daily activities.
Let’s dive into the different types of mouth sores, what causes them, and how they can be treated effectively.
Types of Mouth Sores
- Canker Sores: Small, painful ulcers inside the mouth. Often triggered by stress, minor injuries, or acidic foods.
- Cold Sores: Caused by the herpes simplex virus. Appear as fluid-filled blisters on or around the lips.
- Leukoplakia: Thick, white patches in the mouth. Often linked to tobacco use and can be a precursor to cancer.
- Oral Thrush: Fungal infection leading to creamy white lesions. Common in infants, elderly, and immunocompromised individuals.
Causes of Mouth Sores
- Injury:Accidentally biting your cheek or tongue, ill-fitting dentures or braces, and dental work can all injure the tissues in your mouth and lead to sores.
- Canker sores:These are small, round ulcers that are usually not contagious. The exact cause of canker sores is unknown, but stress, fatigue, and certain foods may trigger them.
- Viral infections:Cold sores, caused by the herpes simplex virus, are a common type of mouth sore. They typically appear as clusters of small blisters around the lips.
- Fungal infections: Thrush, caused by the fungus Candida albicans, can cause white patches to develop on the tongue and inner cheeks.
- Bacterial infections: Less commonly, bacterial infections can also cause mouth sores.
- Nutritional deficiencies: Deficiencies in vitamin B12, iron, or folate can contribute to mouth sores.
- Certain medications: Some medications, such as chemotherapy drugs and certain pain relievers, can cause mouth sores as a side effect.
- Medical conditions: Certain medical conditions, such as Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, and Behçet’s disease, can increase your risk of developing mouth sores.
- Irritants: Harsh mouthwashes, certain toothpastes, acidic foods (such as fruits and vegetables), and spicy foods can irritate the tissues in your mouth and cause sores.
- Smoking and tobacco use: Can irritate the mouth and increase your risk of developing mouth sores.
Symptoms to Watch For
- Pain and tenderness
- Red or white patches
- Swelling and inflammation
- Difficulty eating or speaking
- Fever (in severe cases)
Treatment Options
Home Remedies
- Saltwater rinses: Dissolve a teaspoon of salt in warm water and rinse your mouth several times a day.
- Baking soda pastes: Mix baking soda with a little water to make a paste and apply it to the sore.
- Avoiding spicy and acidic foods: These can irritate the sores and make them worse.
Over-the-Counter Solutions
- Topical gels and ointments: Look for products containing benzocaine or hydrogen peroxide.
- Antiseptic mouthwashes: These can help reduce bacteria and promote healing.
Medical Treatments
- Prescription antiviral medications: Effective for managing cold sores.
- Corticosteroid ointments: Can reduce inflammation and pain.
- Antifungal treatments: Necessary for treating oral thrush.
