My husband has been in absolute agony for the past few days. I took a peek at what was bothering him and it looks like he has a canker sore. He couldn’t eat his dinner last night and I’m getting worried. Is it possible a dentist will treat him? Maybe even as an emergency appointment so he can be seen quickly?
Mary
Dear Mary,
I’m sorry your husband is in so much agony. Canker sores are awful! They can make the strongest man wince and complain like a baby. Unfortunately, there isn’t a way to “cure” them. They won’t be considered a dental emergency. They usually work themselves out within two weeks.
We believe they’re caused by friction, stress, injury, or allergies. All you can do in the meantime is manage the pain. There are over-the-counter treatments which you can purchase that are meant to help manage the pain. They should contain a topical anesthetic.
Some of them are gels that you’ll place on the canker sore directly. Others are a patch that contains the medicine on the other side. Truthfully, they can be difficult to keep in place, but they may help your husband eat a meal. He’ll have a better shot if he eats on the opposite side so there is less chance of him knocking off the patch.
You’ll need to make sure the sore isn’t getting infected. If it is, there are antiseptics you can purchase to place on them. If you can’t locate any, a 50/50 mixture of peroxide and water will serve the same purpose…and save you some money.
What if it Doesn’t Clear Up?
If it doesn’t clear up within the 14 days, then it’s time to schedule an appointment. What we sometimes think of as canker sores are actually a virus or oral cancer masquerading as their more harmless doppelganger.
People hear the word cancer and panic. Don’t. If your husband gets regular dental care, his dentist checks for signs of that at every checkup. I’m a big believer that preventative care is the most affordable care.
This blog is brought to you by Des Moines Dentist Dr. Phelan Thomas.