CANKER SORES MIGHT be small, but they tend to mean days of distracting discomfort. They are shallow ulcers that can develop on the insides of our cheeks or lips, and eating or even talking around them can be difficult. There are a few things that are common triggers of canker sores.
The Major Canker Sore Triggers
The usual suspects for causing canker sores tend to be one of the following:
- A tissue injury from a bitten lip or cheek. When the area swells up after the first time you bite it, it only makes it easier to bite again!
- Long periods of high stress can put a lot of strain on the immune system, leaving the mouth more vulnerable to canker sores developing.
- Sickness strains the immune system too, which means we’re more likely to develop canker sores on top of an infection we’re already fighting off.
- Highly acidic foods can be hard on the tissues of the mouth, such as lemons, strawberries, tomatoes, and pineapple. Spicy foods too!
- Poking braces wires or ill-fitting dentures can rub the cheeks the wrong way and lead to canker sores.
Easy Remedies for Canker Sores
It’s very helpful to identify the main trigger if you are prone to canker sores because that will make it easier to prevent them and fight back. Things like cutting back on acidic foods, using dental wax to protect against poking brackets and wires, and working to reduce our stress levels and give our immune systems a break will all help. If these solutions don’t apply to what’s causing your canker sores (or if you’ve tried them and they don’t seem to be helping), try these tips:
- Rinse your mouth with warm salt water to help the healing process go faster and reduce inflammation.
- Use topical medication or painkillers to reduce discomfort.
- Find a toothpaste that doesn’t contain sodium laurel sulfate (but still contains fluoride!).
- Minimize irritation by brushing with a soft-bristled toothbrush.
Preventing Canker Sores
As the saying goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, and in the case of canker sores, it’s better to stop them from forming than having to deal with them once they appear. This includes things like getting lots of B12, iron, and folate, which we can do by incorporating carrots, salmon, parsley, spinach, kale, and yogurt into our diets.
Good oral hygiene is also critical. In the same way that being sick makes us more vulnerable to canker sores, not keeping plaque under control in our mouths can make it harder for our bodies’ natural defenses to effectively prevent oral health issues, canker sores included.
Come to Us With Your Questions About Canker Sores
We hope we’ve addressed your big questions about canker sores, but we’re happy to answer any you may still have. We want to supply our patients with all the information they need to maintain the best oral health possible.
Visit Us
Our goal is for you to leave our office with a memorable and enjoyable experience, which is why our welcoming and compassionate staff will do everything they can to make you feel right at home.
`,
stat1: "", stat1Label: "",
stat2: "", stat2Label: "",
signature: "Nazanin Morshedi, DDS"
},
{
name: "Dr. Kazemi",
role: "Dentist In Palo Alto",
image: "/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Dr.-Kazemi-e1639418422835.jpeg",
bio1: `
Dr. Kazemi is a board-certified Periodontist & Implant surgeon. She completed her certificate in Periodontal Surgery & Implant Dentistry at the University of Southern California, Los Angeles. During her time at USC, she was the President of ‘’Advanced Periodontology Residents Study Club’’ and was selected to receive ‘’Associate endowed scholarship’’ from USC School of Dentistry. Before her time at USC, she earned an MS degree in Clinical Translational Sciences from the University of Illinois at Chicago where she received the ‘’Board of trustees Scholarship’’ for academic excellence.
A recipient of several awards and honors, she has also lectured nationally and internationally on implant dentistry and laser dentistry. Dr. Kazemi has published several articles in peer-reviewed journals and serves as a peer reviewer and associate editor of scientific journals in the field of implant dentistry and periodontology.
Dr. Kazemi strives to make dental visits a low-stress experience with minimal discomfort. She takes pride in providing high quality evidence based care to each patient based on their unique individual needs. When not working, she spends time with her family & friends, enjoys hiking, working out, cooking and traveling.
`,
stat1: "", stat1Label: "",
stat2: "", stat2Label: "",
signature: "Dr. Kazemi"
},
];
if( doctors.length > 1 ) {
document.querySelector('#team .section-title').innerText = 'Meet Your Doctors';
} else {
document.querySelector('#team .section-title').innerText = 'Meet Your Doctor';
}
let currentDocIndex = 0;
function renderThumbnails() {
const container = document.getElementById('doctor-thumbnails');
container.innerHTML = doctors.map((doc, index) => `
`).join('');
}
function switchDoctor(index) {
if (index === currentDocIndex && document.getElementById('doc-name').innerText !== "") return;
currentDocIndex = index;
renderThumbnails();
const container = document.getElementById('doctor-spotlight-content');
// Simple fade effect
container.classList.remove('fade-in');
void container.offsetWidth; // Trigger reflow
container.classList.add('fade-in');
const doc = doctors[index];
document.getElementById('doc-image').src = doc.image;
document.getElementById('doc-name').textContent = doc.name;
document.getElementById('doc-role').textContent = doc.role;
document.getElementById('doc-bio1').innerHTML = doc.bio1;
document.getElementById('doc-stat1').textContent = doc.stat1;
document.getElementById('doc-stat1-label').textContent = doc.stat1Label;
document.getElementById('doc-stat2').textContent = doc.stat2;
document.getElementById('doc-stat2-label').textContent = doc.stat2Label;
document.getElementById('doc-signature').textContent = doc.signature;
}
document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', () => {
renderThumbnails();
switchDoctor(0);
});