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Suggest Treatment For Chronic Canker Sores
Question: I've had pretty badly breakout of canker sores for around 5 years now. And couldn't remember a day when I am free of canker sores. I've went to my family physician but they referred me to the dentist. I went to the dentist and they referred me back to my family doctor. I'm not sure if there's something I can do about this? Can you please help? Thanks!
Brief Answer:
Investigation
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
You seem to have bad canker sores. We call them Aphthous stomatitis.
If the dentist had referred back to family physician then what he means is that there is no dental cause involved in your case. Having said you should be investigated thoroughly further. There are multiple other reasons why recurrent canker sores occur in humans. E.g Iron deficiency, HIV or Behcet disease, Coeliac disease, GERD, simple vitamin deficiency as well. So it means the physician has to investigate with battery of tests ( serum iron/folate/vitamin B12 levels) to rule these conditions. Since these are recurrent, you should meet a oral pathologist for an biopsy of the ulcer to determine the nature of it.
Till then I suggest you to use ORABASE gel over the ulcers before every meal. Pharmacy can give you Lidocaine gel or Benzydamine gel to help with pain due to sores.
Do Chlorhexidine mouth washes thrice a day to prevent infections.
If nothing helps steroid injections would definitely help.
Investigation
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
You seem to have bad canker sores. We call them Aphthous stomatitis.
If the dentist had referred back to family physician then what he means is that there is no dental cause involved in your case. Having said you should be investigated thoroughly further. There are multiple other reasons why recurrent canker sores occur in humans. E.g Iron deficiency, HIV or Behcet disease, Coeliac disease, GERD, simple vitamin deficiency as well. So it means the physician has to investigate with battery of tests ( serum iron/folate/vitamin B12 levels) to rule these conditions. Since these are recurrent, you should meet a oral pathologist for an biopsy of the ulcer to determine the nature of it.
Till then I suggest you to use ORABASE gel over the ulcers before every meal. Pharmacy can give you Lidocaine gel or Benzydamine gel to help with pain due to sores.
Do Chlorhexidine mouth washes thrice a day to prevent infections.
If nothing helps steroid injections would definitely help.
Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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