What causes canker sores during toothbrushing?
A canker sore can appear suddenly. You feel a small, painful spot in your mouth that burns when you eat, drink or brush. Many people then think: am I not brushing well enough?
But a canker sore is not a sign of poor hygiene. It often has a different cause.
In this article, we explain what canker sores are, what role toothpaste can play, and when the cause lies elsewhere.
What are canker sores and why do they occur?
Canker sores are lesions of the mucous membrane in your mouth.
The mucous membrane is the soft, sensitive layer on the inside of your cheeks, lips, and under your tongue.
Because this tissue is so sensitive, it can easily become irritated. A canker sore is actually a small wound in that mucous membrane.
Important to know:
A canker sore does not mean that you brush your teeth poorly or that your mouth is not clean.
What role do toothpaste ingredients play in the development of canker sores?
Some ingredients in toothpaste can irritate the mucous membrane.
A well-known culprit is SLS (sodium lauryl sulfate).
This is a synthetic ingredient that creates foam during brushing. That foam feels fresh, but can also be irritating.
Also synthetic flavorings can cause irritation.
Do you use toothpaste with both synthetic ingredients and SLS every day?
Then the problem can accumulate. Your mouth will then constantly receive new stimuli that can damage the sensitive mucous membrane.
Why can toothpaste worsen existing canker sores?
If you already have canker sores and brush over them, you keep damaging the wound a little each time.
Additionally,:
- the foam from SLS can additionally irritate the canker sores
- synthetic flavorings can cause additional irritation
As a result, you may temporarily experience more pain while brushing.
When is the cause not toothpaste?
Not every canker sore is caused by toothpaste.
Canker sores can also be related to:
- stress
- hormonal changes
- other medical causes
In those cases, the cause is not what you use while brushing.
Good to know
Many people suffer from oral complaints for a long time without doing anything about it. Only when it becomes really bothersome do they ask their dentist or doctor for advice. This can cause a small problem to persist unnecessarily long.
Do you regularly suffer from canker sores? Discuss it with your dentist.
You can also look for an SLS-free toothpaste yourself, such as those from ReBloom Care.
Conclusion
Canker sores are small lesions of the sensitive mucous membrane in your mouth. They have nothing to do with poor hygiene. Some toothpaste ingredients, such as SLS and synthetic flavorings, can cause irritation or worsen existing canker sores. But stress, hormones, or other medical causes can also play a role.
If you continue to have complaints? Don't wait too long and discuss it with your dentist. And critically examine what you use in your mouth daily.
Tips against canker sores
- Avoid sharp or acidic foods during an outbreak.
- Rinse with a mild saline solution to relieve the pain.
- Ensure a healthy, varied diet.
- Avoid stress where possible, often easier said than done.
With proper care, and for example an SLS-free toothpaste from ReBloom Care, you can improve your oral comfort and help canker sores heal faster.
