They appear, even in healthy mouths, and they are a nuisance. Canker sores disappear on their own, but until then, it's possible to relieve the discomfort.

BURNING SENSATION

The first sign that a cold sore is about to appear is a burning sensation on the inside of the lips, cheeks or tongue. From there, a small lesion develops with a typical appearance: a whitish, rounded spot surrounded by a red line, which denotes inflammation. The main associated complaint is pain, which worsens when the tongue touches the wound or when we eat spicy or acidic foods.

WHAT IS THE CAUSE?
Some possible causes are:

• Trauma
• Accidental bites on the tongue or inside the cheek
• Brushing your teeth too vigorously
• Movement of poorly positioned or sharp teeth
• Chewing very hard food
• Gastrointestinal problems

It's not always possible to know the origin of canker sores, so prevention is not an easy task.

Despite this, it is known that there are some factors that can put us at greater risk of developing canker sores, such as

• Genetics;
• Hormonal changes; 
• Lack of certain nutrients, such as mineral salts (iron and zinc) or vitamins (especially vitamin B12 and folic acid);
• Dental problems or poor oral hygiene; 
• Unbalanced diet;
• Weakened immune system, some diseases or reaction to medication.

 Know that...

Most canker sores are not infectious, so they are not contagious. However, canker sores or other lesions can appear in the mouth as a result of other diseases. Herpes lesions are an example of this - they mostly appear on the lips or around the mouth and are contagious.

MOUTH FREE OF CANKER SORES

• Drink plenty of water
• Opt for foods that are easy to chew 
• Eliminate acidic, hot, salty or spicy drinks and foods 
• Avoid soft drinks and chocolate 
• Use a soft toothbrush
• Avoid touching the affected area, even with your tongue, until it heals
• If the discomfort interferes with your daily life, use products available at the pharmacy, such as mouthwash to disinfect the mouth and prevent complications or painkillers, in gel, spray or elixir form, to ease the pain

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