My Child Has Canker Sores! (Tips for Parents)
Canker sores are small lesions in the moist areas of the mouth. Your child may have them on the lips, cheeks, tongue, soft palate, or throat. As a parent, it can be very frustrating when your child is unable to eat due to the pain caused by canker sores.
Common causes of canker sores in children
- Orthodontic braces
- Accidental biting
- Brushing too hard
- After a dental procedure
- Allergies
Things you can do if your child has a canker sore
- Your child may want to skip brushing due to the pain. Have your child continue to brush their teeth regularly with a non-SLS (Sodium Laurel Sulfate) toothpaste. SLS-based toothpaste has been linked to canker sores. Tell your child that it is important to brush regularly because they may get a secondary infection if they skip brushing. Also, the ulcer may take longer to heal if the mouth is not kept clean.
- Tell your child to brush gently around the canker sore to avoid accidentally poking the ulcer. Do NOT brush directly at the ulcer.
- Make sure the mouthwash is non-alcohol based. Alcohol-based mouthwash can dry the mouth and make it harder for the ulcer to heal.
- Use orthodontic wax if your child has braces.
- Give your child plenty of cold drinks to keep them hydrated, which promotes healing. Using a straw can also help the fluids bypass contact with the canker.
- Offer your child popsicles, frozen fruit juices, or watermelon frost.
- Offer your child Pedialyte or diluted Gatorade to replenish their electrolytes.
- Drinking water can sometimes hurt so try diluting apple juice with water using a ratio of 3/4 apple juice to 1/4 water.
- Run an ice cube or frozen wedge of aloe vera through water and place it directly on the sore to help numb the pain.
- Give your child ibuprofen to reduce the inflammation. You may also give your child Tylenol to reduce the pain. Do NOT give aspirin due to the risk of Reye’s syndrome.
- Avoid using benzocaine products in very young children due to a rare adverse effect called methemoglobinemia.
- Combine 1 part Children’s Benadryl to 1 part Maalox and have them swish and spit to coat the sore.
- Gargle with a baking soda mouth rinse or a salt mouth rinse:
- One tsp baking soda in 1 cup of lukewarm water
- ½ tsp of salt in 1 cup of lukewarm water
- Give your child soft, bland foods. Click here for ideas.
