Can canker sores be prevented?

Can canker sores be prevented?

Although there is no cure for canker sores and they often recur, you may be able to reduce their frequency by:

• Avoiding foods that irritate your mouth, including acidic, hot or spicy foods.
• Avoiding irritation from gum chewing.
• Brushing with a soft-bristled brush after meals and flossing daily. This will keep your mouth free of foods that might trigger a sore.
• Avoiding oral hygiene products containing sodium lauryl sulfate.

You should call your doctor or dentist if you have:

• Unusually large sores.
• Sores that are spreading.
• Sores that last three weeks or longer.
• Intolerable pain despite avoiding trigger foods and taking over-the-counter pain medication.
• Difficulty drinking enough fluids.
• A high fever with the appearance of the canker sore(s).