Standard dental care is built on strategies for preventing cavities and gum disease. Yet, there’s also a less serious but still frustrating condition which can be kept at bay with some preventive care—canker sores. These shallow lesions aren’t contagious, but they be painful and irritating, especially while speaking and eating. Here are some ways to minimize your risk of getting them.

3 Practical Tips for Avoiding Canker Sores

1. Avoid Trigger Foods

While researchers are unsure of the precise causes behind canker sores, they have identified some potential triggers. Foods which could irritate your mouth, for instance, could be to blame in some cases. Try to minimize your intake of acidic foods, including tomatoes and tomato-based sauces, pineapple, and citrus fruit. Sharp foods like pretzels and chips could also irritate tissue and spur a canker sore.  

2. Practice Strong Dental Care

Brushing at least twice a day and flossing daily can keep the mouth free of bacteria and eliminate any lingering food particles which could prompt the sores. Don’t forget to schedule dentists’ appointments for cleanings and examinations at six-month intervals, too. You’ll also want to steer clear of dental care products containing sodium lauryl sulfate, a potential irritant which could trigger the painful sores.

3. Minimize Your Stress

As with other types of ulcers, it’s believed that emotional stress could bring on canker sores. Finding healthy stress management tactics could therefore help you keep these pesky conditions at bay. Meditation, journaling, talking walks, and yoga are a few tactics to try on your own. If your stress seems unmanageable, however, be sure to speak with a professional to develop practical coping strategies.

Whether you’re dealing with an issue like canker sores or you’re simply due for a cleaning and exam, allow Nicholas J. Hurley D.D.S, P.A. to attend to all of your dental care needs. This dentist and his team serve patients throughout Davidson County, NC, with a broad range of solutions, including general dentistry, cosmetic treatments, and restorative options for conditions such as periodontal disease. Browse through their list of services online or call (336) 476-1109 to schedule an appointment.