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“My mouth is stinging!” groans Gustave, 4. And for good reason, a canker sore halos his gum. Usually mild, canker sores often cause unpleasant pain, hence the importance of identifying them in order to be able to treat them. “These small rounded ulcers that are found in the oral sphere – tongue, cheeks, palate and gums – are characterized by a yellowish background and a reddened outline by the inflammation not exceeding, most of the time, the 5 millimeters ”explains pediatrician Dr Erianna Bellaton.
Canker sores: several possible causes
A canker sore can appear for several reasons. If the child is used to carrying his hand, pencil or blanket to his mouth, this can cause a small lesion in the oral mucosa which will turn into a canker sore. Vitamin deficiency, stress or fatigue can also be triggers. It is also common that a food that is too spicy or salty or a dish eaten too hot causes this type of injury. Finally, certain foods are likely to promote their development such as nuts (walnuts, hazelnuts, almonds, etc.), cheese and chocolate.
Gentle brushing of teeth
If good oral hygiene helps to protect against these small ulcerations, it is still necessary not to rub too hard and to use for brushing teeth products designed for children, according to their age. For example, for 4 – 5 year olds, we choose a toothbrush for toddlers with softer bristles, to preserve their fragile mucosa and a suitable toothpaste, not containing too strong substances.
Canker sores are usually not serious
Does your child have other symptoms like fever, pimples, diarrhea or abdominal pain? Make an appointment with his pediatrician or doctor quickly because the canker sore is then the consequence of a pathology that must be treated. Likewise, if she constantly has canker sores, she should be checked because they can come from a chronic disease and in particular from disorders in the digestive tract requiring treatment. Fortunately, canker sores are usually not serious and go away on their own within a few days.
Canker sores: precautions and treatments
Without accelerating their healing, various treatments can help soothe the pain: mouthwashes, homeopathy (Belladonna or Apis), local application of analgesic gel, lozenges … it’s up to you to adopt the most practical remedy for your little one. , after taking advice from your doctor or pharmacist. And until the canker sores have completely disappeared, ban salty dishes and acidic foods from your plate so as not to risk rekindling the pain!
Author: Dorothée Louessard