Canker Sore(s) (painful sores or ulcers found inside the mouth, on the tongue, cheek or gum)
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Emergent Care - Have you identified one or more of the following symptoms?
- Fever, drainage, tenderness and swelling
- Poor immune system or long term steroid use
- Dehydration due to continued inability to eat or drink
| Yes |
No |
Seek Immediate Medical Attention!
These symptoms can be life-threatening. |
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| Canker sores are caused by injury to the inside of the mouth, ill-fitting dentures, braces, infection and food allergies; stress and some cancer treating medication may also cause canker sores
Some people are prone to develop canker sores, some are not
Women are twice as likely as men are to develop canker sores
Canker sores usually heal within 1-2 weeks |
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Urgent Care - Have you identified one or more of the following symptoms?
- Extremely painful mouth sores and unable to eat or drink
- Several mouth sores
- Sore(s) on gums that are swollen, red and painful
- Sore(s) that bleed
- Sore(s) that develop after starting a new medication
| Yes |
No |
Contact Your Health Care Provider. |
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Self-Management - You can help in the following ways:
- Rinse mouth with warm salt water (1/2 tsp. to 8 oz.water) 3-4 times per day
- Clean sore(s) with a Q-tip and 2% hydrogen peroxide
- Take over the counter (OTC) medication (Gly-oxide, Cankaid) to help heal
- Coat sore(s) with Milk of Magnesia or a thin paste of baking soda to protect, heal and ease pain
- Avoid salty, spicy or acidic foods
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