Canker sores are the often painful mouth ulcers that result from a variety of causes. These sores can be very annoying, as they can make it difficult to eat, talk, and drink. They also cause discomfort when one is brushing one's teeth, and can cause you to brush gingerly during the duration of the canker sore. There is no absolute cure for canker sores, and no surefire way to prevent them. However, there are a variety of mouth medicines to reduce the pain and help them heal, as well as a few things you can do to reduce the likelihood that you will get a canker sore.

One of the basic things that you can do to avoid canker sores is to be careful of causing injury to the inside of your mouth. Such injuries can provide a breeding ground for the bacteria that cause ulcers, as well as provide an ideal location for painful swelling. Chewing your food slowly and carefully can help you avoid accidentally biting your tongue or your cheek. Bite injuries to the moth often develop into canker sores. Another way to avoid mouth injury is to gently brush your teeth. Use a toothbrush with soft bristles. You want to make sure that you brush thoroughly, but there is no need to be rough with your brushing.

Some foods are known to trigger canker sores. While it is usually okay to eat most foods, too much of some acidic foods, or rough foods which are abrasive to the mouth, can result in canker sores. Acidic foods like nuts, citrus fruits, and tomatoes can irritate the inside of the mouth and cause canker sores. Some of the more abrasive foods that can cause injuries to the inside of the mouth include corn and potato chips and bread crusts, especially hard or dried crusts. All of these foods can encourage canker sore growth within the mouth. You should limit them if you find that you frequently develop canker sores.

Other substances that can contribute to the development of canker sores include tobacco and alcohol. Tobacco is bad for you on multiple levels, and in any form can aggravate conditions in your mouth enough to result in a canker sore. Chewing tobacco, though, is especially prone to creating canker sores. Frequent alcohol consumption can also contribute substantially to canker sore development. Limiting your intake can help reduce the chances that you will develop canker sores in your mouth.

You can also reduce the chances of developing canker sores by regular, daily dental hygiene (brushing and flossing every day, and using mouthwash), and by visiting your dentist on a regular basis. Most professionals recommend that you pay a visit to the dentist every six months. Some canker sores are caused by allergies and nutrient deficiencies, so if you follow the above guidelines and still find that you are developing regular canker sores, speak with a health professional about your options. You may be prescribed special medications or supplements to help address the problem.