Canker Sores During Orthodontic Treatment

While canker sores are never fun, they can become even more unpleasant during orthodontic treatment. Braces can sometimes irritate canker sores, making them more painful for your child and causing them to take longer to heal.

Canker Sores

Canker sores are open sores that occur in the mouth. They can be caused by:

• Trauma to the mouth
• Changes in hormones
• Stress levels that are higher than usual
• Compromised immune system
• Vitamin deficiencies, specifically of iron, zinc, and B-12

Braces & Canker Sores

If a canker sore develops near a bracket or a wire on your braces, they can be more annoying and painful than usual. Most canker sores will go away on their own between 6-10 days, but if your child is suffering from frequent canker sores, you may want to ask his or her orthodontist for a prescription strength treatment.

Luckily there are a few other ways to ease the symptoms of a canker sore while wearing braces. These include the use of:

• Products like mouthwash that can help kill bacteria in the mouth. Find mouthwash that doesn’t contain alcohol, as this can irritate the sores further.
• Numbing products, such as Orajel, that can numb the sores long enough for your child to eat.
• Orthodontic wax that can cover a nearby wire or bracket that may be causing or irritating a canker sore.

If your child is experiencing frequent canker sores, whether he or she is wearing braces or not, please contact Little Rockies Pediatric Dentistry located in Parker, Colorado. We’re happy to provide relief to our patients!