Canker sores are a common occurrence after wisdom teeth removal. Often benign and temporary, understanding their cause and management can significantly ease recovery. Knowing their characteristics and appropriate remedies helps distinguish them from more serious complications, ensuring a smoother healing journey.
Why Canker Sores Can Appear
Canker sores, also known as aphthous ulcers, frequently develop following wisdom tooth extraction due to several factors. Minor trauma to oral tissues during surgery, like stretching or abrasion, initiates their formation. Changes in the mouth’s healing environment and irritation can lead to these painful lesions.
Stress from surgery and recovery can weaken the immune system, increasing susceptibility to canker sore outbreaks. A temporary immune dip during recovery also contributes to their development. Certain oral care products containing sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) might also irritate sensitive tissues and trigger sores in predisposed individuals.
Are They Canker Sores or Something Else?
Identifying a canker sore is usually straightforward due to its distinctive appearance. These sores typically present as small, round or oval ulcers with a white or yellowish center and a distinct red border. They can occur on the inner cheeks, lips, tongue, or at the base of the gums, often causing a burning or tingling sensation before full development.
It is important to differentiate canker sores from other potential post-extraction complications. An infection at the surgical site might manifest with persistent or worsening pain, increased swelling, redness that spreads, pus or discharge, and possibly a fever. Dry socket, another complication, typically causes intense throbbing pain that begins a few days after surgery, often accompanied by a foul odor and a visible empty socket where the blood clot has dislodged. Simple irritation from sutures might cause localized discomfort but generally lacks the characteristic ulceration of a canker sore or the systemic signs of infection.
Relieving Canker Sore Discomfort
Managing the discomfort of canker sores after wisdom teeth removal involves several practical approaches. Warm salt water rinses (half teaspoon salt in eight ounces water, swish 30 seconds multiple times daily) cleanse the area and promote healing. A baking soda rinse (one teaspoon in half cup water) also helps by neutralizing acids and reducing inflammation.
Over-the-counter options include topical anesthetic gels that numb the affected area, providing temporary pain relief. Some oral rinses designed for canker sores may contain ingredients like dexamethasone to reduce inflammation. Avoiding acidic, spicy, or abrasive foods is advisable, as these can irritate the sores and delay healing. Maintaining good oral hygiene gently, using a soft toothbrush, helps prevent bacterial buildup without further irritating the sore.
When to Contact Your Dentist
While canker sores usually heal on their own within one to two weeks, certain signs warrant contacting your dentist. Seek professional dental advice if the pain becomes severe or unbearable despite home remedies and over-the-counter treatments. This also applies if the sores are unusually large, persist for more than two weeks, or seem to be spreading.
Signs of infection such as excessive swelling, redness that spreads, pus or discharge from the extraction site, a persistent fever, or difficulty swallowing or breathing also necessitate immediate dental attention. These symptoms could indicate a complication beyond a typical canker sore and require prompt evaluation.