Canker sores can be described as a type of mouth sore. They are not contagious but can be painful and irritating. Stress, acidic foods, or minor injuries to your mouth can cause canker sores. Many treatments are available, including prescription or over-the-counter gels, ointments, and rinses. Even without treatment, canker sores will usually heal within two weeks. Have you ever wondered what the white stuff is in a canker sore? Here’s the answer!
Aphthous ulcers are small, superficial lesions that appear on the soft tissues or base of the gums. Canker sores are not found on your lips like cold sores. However, they can be painful and make it difficult to eat and talk.
They can be found between the lips and on the cheeks. They are usually yellow or white, with inflamed soft tissues surrounding them. A layer of white substance is standard in the latter stages of canker sores. What is the white substance found in a canker sore? And why does it appear?
What is the white stuff in a canker sore?
Dead tissue and bacteria residue make up the white stuff you find in your mouth ulcer or canker sore. Slough is the scientific name for this white substance. It adheres to the wound and is composed of dead cells from the damage.
White is the residue of dead tissue and bacteria you often see in your mouth ulcer or canker sore. In science, this white substance is called slough. It adheres to the wound and is composed of dead cells.
How to treat canker sore
Canker sores usually disappear by themselves. However, you can make many lifestyle changes to treat your canker sores.
Bacteria thrive in the environment of the canker sore and the “white stuff.” To speed up the healing process of the canker sore, it is essential to stop the growth of bacteria. Use a saltwater rinse or mouthwash containing peroxide for best results. It is necessary to keep the area free from bacteria to promote healing.
Avoiding spicy foods can speed up healing while flossing regularly will prevent a bacterial infection.
This white stuff usually clears up on its own. Studies have shown that the white substance makes canker sores more challenging to heal.
This can be prevented using a debridement agent, which speeds up the healing process. Alum and Lysine are two of the most popular debridement agents on the market. These ingredients and other ingredients help cauterize canker sores before speeding up the healing process.
What are the symptoms of Canker Sores?
Some of the common symptoms of a minor canker sore are;
- a tingling or burning sensation pain when speaking, eating or drinking
- small, oval-shaped bumps inside the mouth
Major canker sores show symptoms like;
- Significant pain that makes it difficult to speak or eat
- large, rounded bumps inside the mouth that is tingly, burning, or inflamed
Most canker sores have a red border and a round or oval shape with a white or yellow center. They develop inside your mouth, either on your soft palate or on or under your tongue, inside your cheeks or lips, or at the base of your gums. A day or two before the sores appear, you might feel tingling or burning. Many over-the-counter medications can treat canker sores symptoms, such as rinses and topical ointments.
Make an appointment with your healthcare provider if your canker sores are huge or if your symptoms are affecting your daily life.
