Sores in the body are known to cause pain. Imagine if the sores are inside your child’s mouth. Some adults usually complain about sores inside their mouths, so they are more unbearable for children. How do you help your child if they got canker sores?
In this article, we will discuss everything about canker sores in children, how to treat them, and how to prevent them in the first place. However, this article is just a guide and shouldn’t be used to replace medical care. If your child has canker sores, it’s better to check in with your local pediatric dentist.
What are Canker Sores?
Aphthous ulcers, also known as canker sores, are small, shallow lesions that can appear on the mouth’s gums and other soft tissues. A variety of factors can trigger them. While canker sores are not contagious, they can be painful, making daily activities like eating and talking difficult. Canker sores are circular, painful, and open, with a white or yellow coating and a “halo” of red tissue surrounding them. Some are significantly larger and deeper than others, but the vast majority are only about a quarter of an inch (or 6 millimeters) across at most.
Symptoms and Treatment for Canker Sores
Some of the most common symptoms of canker sores are:
- Painful mouth sores on the lips, cheeks, or tongue.
- Red-bordered white or gray sores.
- Sores make eating and talking difficult.
- Fever-free (in most cases).
Canker sores take about two weeks to heal. They will heal without leaving a scar if they are not too large or deep. Several medical conditions can cause canker sores, but mostly they have an identifiable cause. Canker sores are thought to be caused by injuries to the mouth, like biting the inside of the lip or brushing the gums too hard. Canker sores can sometimes indicate a problem with the immune system. However, if the unpleasant condition occurs frequently, your child’s pediatrician can perform a few diagnostic treatments.
If you are looking for the best pediatric dentist, look no further than Junior Smiles of Stafford, a pediatric dentist in Arlington, VA, they can provide the best care for your child. They offer different treatments for your child and can also provide additional consideration to prevent canker sores from happening again. In addition, they have friendly and accommodating staffs that can help you and your kid.
How to Prevent Canker Sores?
Canker sores heal independently after a week or two but can be extremely painful. Give your child a liquid antacid or milk for canker sores. Give your child soft, non-abrasive foods and drinks. Honey consumption is not recommended for infants under one year old.
If the sore does not heal within a few weeks, it would be best to consult a dentist. They may recommend a topical treatment, a specific mouthwash, or a home remedy to help the sores heal. You could also use the following methods to treat it:
- Combining one teaspoon of salt and one cup of water yields a solution that can be used to rinse a child’s mouth. Rinse for 30 seconds and repeat a few times a day.
- Use honey and apply directly to the sores area.
- Apply coconut oil directly to the sores to reduce inflammation and improves healing.
- Ensure the child does not consume rough foods like nuts and seeds.
- Take precautions to avoid mouth irritation, such as giving the child a soft toothbrush and avoiding acidic, salty, or spicy foods.
- Assisting the child in developing good hygiene habits and monitoring them as needed.
- Give the child Tylenol or another over-the-counter pain reliever.
- Have them eat yogurt to reduce inflammation and infection. You can also apply this directly to reduce inflammation.
Prevention depends on the cause. For example, if your child lacks vitamins and it causes sores, you can address it by giving them additional vitamins. Regular dental checkups can also help in maintaining a child’s dental health.
Takeaway
Canker sores are painful and can cause a lot of crying nights for you and your child. It can easily be prevented by addressing the cause of canker sores and can be treated with home remedies and medicines. It’s better to consult your pediatric dentist to ensure your child isn’t developing sores as a cause of something more severe.