Canker Sores: What Are They and Why Does My Child Get Them?

Canker sores are relatively common in adults, and they can occur in children as well. They are small, painful sores that appear on the inside of the cheeks or the tongue. They almost seem like craters and are often white, gray, or yellowish. They also generally have a red rim around the outside. They usually go away within about two weeks, but they can make eating, brushing teeth, and drinking painful. Children as young as two years old can develop canker sores, but they generally are not cause to see a pediatric dentist in most cases.

Generally, canker sores will clear up on their own and do not require any treatment from a kid’s dentist. They can be very painful and annoying, however, so parents can help children deal with the pain in a few ways.

Encourage your child to avoid foods that are spicy, sour, or have rough edges. These foods may irritate the canker sore.

Your child can rinse their mouth out with warm salt water if he or she is old enough to rinse without swallowing.

After a meal, you can apply baking soda and water directly to the sore. This can help ease the pain. Traditional over-the-counter pain medications may also help as well.

You should call a pediatric dentist if the canker sore lasts longer than two weeks or the pain becomes severe. If sores crop up repeatedly, then you may want to speak to a doctor as well.

It is unclear what causes canker sores, but several factors might contribute to their appearance. They tend to emerge when there is severe emotional stress or when there has been an injury to the mouth due to brushing, hot liquids, or biting. Some foods can also irritate the mouth and causes these sores, including spicy or sour foods. Vitamin deficiencies are also sometimes to blame, particularly B-12, folic acid, and iron. Food allergies may also result in canker sores.

You may be able to combat canker sores by encouraging regular tooth brushing with a soft toothbrush. Ensure that your toothpaste does not include lauryl sulfate. You can also ask your pediatric dentist for specific tips that may work for your child. Call 718-998-2424 for more information or schedule an appointment.