Almost everyone has experienced thrush, and often canker sores appear suddenly. There are some things that can actually cause canker sores without us knowing it.
The cause of canker sores is sometimes difficult to ascertain. Even so, there are various factors that are known to trigger this condition, ranging from lack of nutritional intake, consumption of acidic or spicy foods, smoking habits, to the use of certain drugs. In addition, there are also some things that without you knowing it can cause canker sores.
Causes of canker sores that are often not realized
Below are some things that can cause canker sores to appear:
1. Brush your teeth too hard
Brushing your teeth too hard can be one of the causes of canker sores. The reason is, when you brush your teeth too hard or use a toothbrush with coarse bristles, you can injure the gums and the surface of the oral cavity. This wound can lead to the appearance of canker sores.
2. Bitten wound
Sometimes the lips, tongue, or the inside of the cheeks can be accidentally bitten while talking or eating. This will cause sores, which can then develop into canker sores. Sores in the mouth can also occur due to pierced fish spines, toothpicks, or exposed to eating utensils.
3. Use of braces
The use of braces also often causes canker sores. This is because the edges or ends of the braces can rub against the inner surface of the cheek, causing sores and canker sores. In addition to braces, wearing dentures that don't fit properly can also cause canker sores.
4. Poor oral hygiene
Lack of maintenance of dental and oral hygiene can cause various germs to lodge in the mouth and cause infection. Thrush can appear when this bacterial infection causes inflammation and sores in the oral cavity.
5. Anxiety and stress
Feelings of anxiety and stress that we often do not realize can facilitate the appearance of canker sores. Not only the emotional burden, the physical burden that causes the body to fatigue can also cause canker sores.
In addition to the above factors, canker sores can also occur due to certain medical conditions, such as Crohn's disease, celiac disease, and diseases that attack the immune system, such as AIDS or lupus.
How to Overcome Canker sores
Although canker sores go away on their own, you can speed up the healing process by following these steps:
1. Keep your mouth clean
The main way to treat canker sores is to maintain oral hygiene, by regularly brushing your teeth using toothpaste and a soft-bristled toothbrush. Also, use dental floss to clean food residue between your teeth.
2. Ice compress
You can compress canker sores using ice, by sucking ice cubes in the area that has canker sores. This method is useful for relieving pain and reducing inflammation caused by canker sores.
3. Adequate nutritional intake
Lack of nutritional intake is one of the causes of canker sores. So, make sure your body is getting adequate nutrition, especially vitamin B12. zinc, iron and folic acid. You can meet all of these nutritional intakes from green vegetables and fruits.
4. Use natural mouthwash
Mouthwash containing natural ingredients, such as betel leaf, saga leaf, and liquorice (licorice), you can also use to treat canker sores, because these ingredients have antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory properties.
Besides being able to overcome canker sores, these natural ingredients can also keep your mouth fresh.
5. Avoid canker sores
If the appearance of canker sores is triggered by spicy, sour, and hot foods, then you need to avoid consuming these foods for a while. Also avoid consuming foods or drinks that are too hot, because there is a risk of aggravating the sores on canker sores and slowing their healing.
If canker sores do not go away for more than two weeks, immediately consult a doctor to get the right treatment. If deemed necessary, the doctor will give antibiotics or antifungals to treat infection, corticosteroid drugs to reduce inflammation, and drugs to reduce pain.
