Painful Mouth or Canker Sores? Let Us Help You Find Relief
Mouth sores are common and usually harmless, but they can make eating and talking uncomfortable while they heal. Most clear up on their own within a week or two, and there are simple ways to ease the soreness in the meantime. When a sore lingers, it is worth a quick look.
- Mesquite
- Garland
- Balch Springs
Why Mouth Sores Show Up
Most mouth sores are minor and have an everyday cause. Knowing the common triggers can help you avoid them and decide when a sore is worth checking.
Stress and Run-Down Days
Stress and being run down are among the most common triggers for canker sores. Many people notice them flare during busy or anxious stretches.
Minor Injury or Irritation
Biting your cheek, a rough toothbrush, braces, or a sharp tooth can scrape the lining and leave a tender sore where the spot was hurt.
Certain Foods
Acidic, spicy, or salty foods like citrus, tomatoes, or chips can trigger sores in some people or sting the ones already there.
Viruses Like Cold Sores
Cold sores around the lips come from a common virus and are contagious, unlike canker sores inside the mouth, which are not.
Low Vitamins or Hormones
Low levels of iron, folate, or certain B vitamins, and hormone shifts around your period, can make canker sores more likely.
Some Toothpastes or Medicines
Toothpastes with certain foaming ingredients, and a few medications, can irritate the lining and bring on sores in sensitive people.
Canker Sore, Cold Sore, or Something Else
Not every mouth sore is the same. Here is a simple guide to tell the common ones apart so you know what you are looking at.
Canker Sore
A small round ulcer inside the mouth, often white or yellow with a red border. It shows up on the inner cheek, lip, or tongue, and it is not contagious.
Usually heals on its own within two weeks
Cold Sore
A cluster of small blisters, usually on or around the lips rather than inside the mouth. It comes from a common virus and is contagious while active.
Often clears in about a week, may return
Irritation or a Lasting Sore
A sore from a sharp tooth, a denture, or a rough spot often heals once the cause is fixed. A sore that keeps coming back or does not heal is worth a look.
Have it checked if it lasts beyond two weeks
Most mouth sores are harmless and heal quickly. As a simple rule of thumb, any sore that lasts more than two weeks should be checked, since on rare occasions a lasting sore can be a sign of something that needs attention. This is easy to look at during a routine visit, and most of the time it turns out to be nothing serious.
When a Mouth Sore Is Worth Checking
A sore that heals within a week or two is almost always nothing to worry about. A few signs, though, are worth a calm, prompt visit. Reach out to your nearest Inspire Dental location if you notice any of the following:
- A sore that has not healed after two weeks
- A sore that keeps coming back in the same spot
- A lump, red or white patch, or rough area that does not go away
- Sores that make it hard to eat, drink, or swallow
- A sore that comes with a fever or feeling generally unwell
A quick check of a lasting sore brings peace of mind. Most are harmless, and looking early is simply the careful thing to do.
How We Soothe and Check Mouth Sores
Care starts with looking at the sore and finding why it is there. We help ease the discomfort and, when a sore is lasting, we take a calm closer look.
A Calm Check of Any Lasting Sore
If a sore has not healed in two weeks or keeps returning, we examine it carefully as part of a routine oral cancer screening. Most turn out to be harmless, and an early look gives peace of mind.
Learn about oral cancer screening →Removing Sources of Irritation
When a sharp tooth, rough filling, or buildup is rubbing the lining, a cleaning and a few small adjustments often let the sore heal and keep new ones from forming.
Learn about teeth cleanings →For painful canker sores, we can recommend simple rinses and soothing measures to ease them while they heal. We always explain what we find first. For trusted background reading, the Cleveland Clinic has a helpful overview of canker sores and mouth ulcers, and the American Dental Association covers canker sores in plain language.
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Relief
Soothing care and a calm check for lasting sores
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Soothe a Sore or Get It Checked
Book online or call the location closest to you. We accept Medicaid, CHIP, and most PPO plans, with flexible payment plans to fit your budget.
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Gentle, Trusted Care for Sore Mouths
Inspire Dental & Orthodontics was founded in 2017 by Dr. Patel and Dr. Paul, two dentists who grew up in this community. Every mouth sore is examined by a licensed dentist and any lasting sore is checked with care before we suggest a plan. Our bilingual team has earned more than 2,700 five-star reviews from families at our offices in Mesquite, Garland, and Balch Springs.
Comfort and Peace of Mind
Real reviews from patients who came in with a painful or lasting sore and left feeling cared for and reassured.
I kept getting painful canker sores and could not figure out why. They looked at everything, gave me a soothing rinse, and pointed out a rough filling that was irritating the spot. Smoothed it out and the sores stopped. So thorough and kind.
I had a sore that would not heal and I was nervous about it. They checked it calmly, explained it was harmless, and put my mind at ease. No rushing, no scary talk, just clear answers. I left feeling so relieved.
Tenía una llaga en la boca que no se me quitaba y estaba preocupada. Me revisaron con mucha calma, me explicaron que no era nada grave y me dieron algo para el dolor. Sanó en pocos días. Un equipo muy amable que me dejó tranquila.