Manage a smile despite mouth sores

The small lesions that develop at the bottom of the mouth, inner cheeks, gums, lips and tongue make eating, drinking and talking uncomfortable. However, no health condition happens without a cause. Mouth sores can be a sign of some common illness or tumor or reaction to a medication. 

Depending on what triggers it, mouth sores can be classified into different types. Cold sores are caused by the herpes simplex virus. It only appears as a mouth sore when something triggers it such as fever, menstruation, stress and exposure to sun. The contagious sores usually begin as blisters and then crust over.  However, canker sores, which look like a yellow ulcer with a red outer ring, are not contagious. You may have one, or a group of them. Women seem to get them more than men. It may appear due to cold or flu or lack of certain vitamins and minerals.

Symptoms: You may feel a burning or tingling sensation on your inner cheek, lip or tongue before a sore starts. Each sore takes two to three days to form.

Remedies: Mouth sores often vanish by itself in 10 days or sometimes may last up to six weeks. However, avoiding hot, spicy and salty beverages and foods will make you feel better until it gets cured. Gargle with salt water or cool water and avoid squeezing or picking at the sores or blisters. Over-the-counter medications, pastes or mouthwash that may be helpful, but in severe cases, visiting the doctor will be a wise decision.