Are Your Braces Triggering Your Canker Sores?

A few weeks into orthodontic treatment, you notice a tingling or burning sensation in your mouth. A few days later, canker sores appear. Fortunately, canker sores are not often a serious issue, but they sure can be annoying! These small ulcers can pop up in your mouth and on the inside of your lips and take days to heal. However, they are quite easy to prevent, especially once you understand what triggers them!

Braces and Canker Sores

The unfortunate news is that braces can contribute to canker sores. This mainly happens in patients that are already prone to canker sores. They may experience an increase in sores because the mouth is adjusting to a big change when beginning orthodontic treatment. Braces can irritate oral tissue, which leaves it vulnerable to tiny lesions to form, such as canker sores.

Luckily, avoiding possible triggers and practicing good oral hygiene can help you to avoid or lessen the instances of canker sores.

Common Triggers to Avoid Canker Sores

Stress – Stress is known to weaken your immune system, which makes it easier for canker sores to form. Make sure you’re keeping your stress at a healthy level in order to avoid canker sores!
Tissue Injury – Cuts or scrapes inside of your mouth can make you more vulnerable to canker sores.
Foods – Avoid foods that are high in acidity such as lemons, pineapples, and tomatoes, as they can trigger canker sores.
Sickness – You have a higher chance of getting a canker sore when infection is present in your body.

Knowing what triggers canker sores for you makes them easier to avoid. If your braces are irritating your mouth, don’t hesitate to have the spots checked out and/or ask for more dental wax.

You can also modify your oral care routine to help eliminate instances of canker sores.

Rinse your mouth each day with salt water
Using a soft-bristled toothbrush will help to avoid irritating oral tissue
Also, try using a toothpaste that doesn’t contain sodium lauryl sulfate

Talk to Orthodontist Dr. Andrew DeHaan

If your canker sores are still persisting, be sure to speak to schedule an appointment to see if there is anything else we can do to help. Whether that be a clinical rinse or gel that can provide you with relief, your smile is our priority.