If there’s one tiny thing that causes a lot of discomfort and even makes eating difficult, it’s canker sores1. They can appear in babies as well as older people, causing great discomfort, including difficulty eating properly. They appear in odd places: under the tongue, at the corner of the mouth, inside the lip, and along the sides of the cheeks. They look similar to a pimple, with a whitish coloring and sometimes a yellowish appearance, and they usually occur more in women due to hormonal reasons. What is a Canker Sore? The mouth is lined with mucosa, and because it is very sensitive, small breaks in the skin can occur, known as superficial mucosal ulceration, aphthous ulcer, or commonly called canker sores. It is a small lesion, tiny but causing intense pain and stinging, as well as a burning sensation at the site. These are benign lesions that do not cause major problems beyond momentary discomfort.
Causes of Canker Sores in Babies and Children
There are several reasons that can cause canker sores in babies and children, with some of the main ones being: low immunity, viral infections, stomach problems, hormonal changes, emotional factors, and the use of certain medications2. Canker sores in babies and children are not contagious, but can appear as symptoms of infectious conditions or some illnesses. The appearance of canker sores can also indicate that a baby or child is having a digestive issue, as canker sores act as a “stomach alert.” You might suspect a canker sore in a baby’s mouth if you notice a change in their appetite. Canker sores cause enough discomfort to interfere with feeding and make breastfeeding more difficult.
What Can Be Done to Relieve the Discomfort?
As mentioned, eating or nursing during the appearance of canker sores can be very painful. Some foods can make the pain worse if they touch the sore. Cold or chilled foods can help at least to relieve the discomfort of canker sores in babies and children. Even though feeding may be difficult with canker sores, keep your child hydrated regularly. Avoid very salty, acidic, and hot foods, as these can worsen the discomfort.
Do Some Foods Make Canker Sores Worse?
As already mentioned, hot, salty, and acidic foods can make the pain worse. During canker sores flare-up, you should avoid foods that can worsen the lesions or even cause new ones. Acidic foods such as pineapple, lemon, and orange should be avoided.
Types of Canker Sores
The appearance of canker sores in babies and children is divided into three types according to their causes: Minor Aphthous Stomatitis: These are the most common canker sores and occur regularly in a large part of the population. They usually disappear within a week and do not leave any scarring. Major Aphthous Stomatitis: These are less common canker sores and take longer to disappear. They tend to last around 2 weeks or more and cause great difficulty with eating, as well as intense pain. Herpetiform Aphthous Stomatitis: This is the rarest type of canker sore and tends to appear as small clusters of canker sores that merge to form even larger lesions. They are extremely painful and last a little over a week. 
Treatment of Canker Sores
Usually, no treatment is recommended for canker sores, as they tend to disappear naturally over a few days. However, if the lesions worsen, some kind of treatment to relieve the symptoms may be necessary, but only a specialist doctor can prescribe this after evaluating the condition. Keeping mouth hygiene up to date is an important factor in cases of canker sores. Regular oral hygiene will help prevent the lesions from getting infected. One well-known and simple remedy for relief is the use of baking soda3. The use of baking soda controls the pH of saliva and reduces the stinging caused by canker sores. But don’t just put it directly on the sore (that will cause a lot of pain). The recommended way is to dissolve the baking soda in a glass of water and use it as a mouth rinse, preferably with warm water which provides relief. A teaspoon of baking soda for about three fingers’ width of water is enough, at least three times a day. Some home remedies like rinsing with propolis tea may also help and provide relief. But what we really recommend is to consult a doctor if the pain persists, so you can receive the appropriate treatment for your problem. Also see: Oral Hygiene from Birth to Childhood Photo: markzfilter
