Why you shouldn't brush your canker sore

Even though it is important to practice good oral hygiene during your canker sore outbreak, it is not advisable to brush your canker sores directly. Your canker sores consist of damaged cells in the mucous membrane with white blood cells, inflammatory substances, and bacteria surrounded by very sensitive nerve endings. These exposed nerve endings and the surrounding tissue will become more inflamed and swollen if you brush directly at the site of the canker sore. The swelling can put the ulcer at risk for accidental biting, causing further damage to your mouth and delay healing.

Step up your oral hygiene routine

When you have a canker sore, it is important to brush your teeth regularly even though you may be tempted to skip brushing due to the pain. Try using a soft-bristle electric toothbrush to avoid accidentally poking the ulcer, which is more likely to happen with a manual toothbrush. Place the bristle against each tooth at a 45-degree angle and let the action of the electric toothbrush do its work.

To keep your canker sore clean, try to use a natural mouthwash. Avoid mouthwashes that contain alcohol, which could dry your mouth and may hinder with healing. Choose a toothpaste that is sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) free. SLS is a detergent and foaming agent that is incorporated into many toothpastes and has been shown to worsen or trigger canker sores.

Final thoughts

It is important to brush your teeth, floss, and rinse using mouthwash 2-3 times a day to keep your mouth clean. Failure to maintain good oral hygiene puts you at risk for infections during a canker outbreak. The last thing you want is to have an oral infection on top of an excruciating canker sore.

Sandie Tran, Pharm.D.