A mouth sore can be an extremely annoying thing. They are unsightly and uncomfortable. In many cases they are just annoying sores but in some cases they are symptoms of an underlying health problem or possible even early indicators of a more serious medical disease. It is important to understand what kind of sore you have and what that means for your health.
A canker sore is a common type of mouth sore that is renowned for how annoyingly uncomfortable they can make you. A canker sore is a sore inside the mouth that are white or gray with an inflamed red border. It is not known for certain exactly what causes them but they are often linked with any number of things, from a small cut, biting the inside of your lip or possibly even to a viral infection. A cold sore appears outside the mouth and is directly linked to the herpes virus. They generally occur around the lips and are small, red, fluid-filled blisters.
Another type of mouth sore that can be much more serious is Leukoplakia sores. These are appear as a thick, whitish-colored patch that forms on the inside of the cheeks, gums or tongue. This is common among smokers and dentures wearers or if you have the bad-habit of chewing on the inside of your cheek. What makes leukoplakia dangerous is that it can eventually lead to cancer. If you believe you have this go to your dentist and get a biopsy. Mouth thrush or oral thrush is basically a yeast infection of the mouth and can be easily treated. It is common in people who have dry mouth or denture wearers.
If you are having a problem with a mouth sore and would like to speak with a dentist, please consider visiting the Atlanta Dental Group PC. Our Atlanta dental team has over 45 years of combined experience serving Atlanta's dental needs. Our dentists are dedicated to their patients' good health and well being and you are more than welcome to join our family of patients. If you would like schedule a free dental consultation with our Atlanta Family Dentist, Dr. Mark Allan Padolsky, feel free to call us at 404-874-7428.