Canker Sore

[Iminspired]

Hey everyone!

I have some quick questions that can't be answered by the search function.

I have recently developed a canker sore on my bottom lip. Does smoking a cigar during this pesky canker sore's stay in my mouth elevate the health risk of cigar smoking? Should I not smoke while I have this canker sore?

Is it something I should even worry about? Because it's causing me to second doubt every time I pick up a cigar, which sucks.

Not to mention it really hurts.

Thanks!

[heftysmokes]

Smoke your cigar as you usually would. When you're through, put it out on your canker sore. Canker sore problem solved.

Realistically, I'd recommend holding off smoking until it goes away. I doubt you're suffering long term negative effects, but if the smoke (or even the act of drawing on the cigar) is irritating the sore, it will probably take longer to heal.*













*I'm no Doctor, but I play one on TV

[cinda]

It seems like smoke if you can stand the pain. Before bed I would give the area a warm salt water bath then air dry. Then place a little bit of anbesol on the sore. Below is an over view of what going on and what else you could do.





Canker Sores: What Are They and What Can You Do About Them?


What are canker sores?


Canker sores are shallow, painful sores in the mouth. They are usually red or may sometimes have a white coating over them. You might get them on the inside of your lips, the insides of your cheeks, the base of your gums or under your tongue. Canker sores are different from fever blisters, which usually are on the outside of your lips or the corners of your mouth.

Anyone can get canker sores, but women and people in their teens and 20s get them more often. Canker sores may run in families, but they aren't contagious. Doctors don't know what causes canker sores, but they may be triggered by stress, poor nutrition, food allergies and menstrual periods.

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How are canker sores treated?


Canker sores usually go away without any treatment. For pain relief, you can try taking ibuprofen (brand name: Advil) or acetaminophen (brand name: Tylenol). Other medicines, such as Anbesol, Orajel, Orabase and Zilactin-B, might keep your canker sores from becoming irritated by eating, drinking or brushing your teeth. These medicines are applied directly on the sore.

You can also mix equal amounts of Milk of Magnesia and Benadryl Allergy liquid. After it's mixed, you can swish a teaspoonful in your mouth for about 1 minute and then spit it out. If you do this every 4 to 6 hours, your canker sores may hurt less.

Some people think that sucking on zinc lozenges, taking vitamin C or vitamin B complex, using a sage-and-chamomile mouthwash or taking a lysine supplement helps their canker sores heal faster.


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When should I call my family doctor about canker sores?


If your canker sores are large, last longer than 2 weeks or are so sore that you can't eat or drink, you should make an appointment to see your doctor. You should make an appointment with your doctor, too, if you also have a fever or feel sick when you have canker sores. Tell your doctor if you have canker sores more than 3 times a year.

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What can my doctor do to help my canker sores?


Several prescription medicines may help with canker sores. If your canker sore is large, painful or won't heal, your doctor may prescribe an anti-inflammatory (Aphthasol or Kenalog in Orabase) or collagenase inhibitor (Tetracycline or Peridex). Talk with your doctor to decide what treatment is best for you.

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What's the right way to use the medicine for my canker sores?


You may be asked to "swish and swallow" or "swish and spit" the medicine. This means that you swish the medicine around in your mouth, especially around your canker sore, for a few minutes before swallowing or spitting it out.

If your doctor has you use a medicine to put on the canker sore, you should dry the sore with a tissue. Next, put a small amount of medicine on a cotton swab (like a Q-Tip). Then, put the medicine on your canker sore using the cotton swab. Don't eat or drink for 30 minutes. If you do, the medicine will be washed away. Be sure to use the medicine for as many days as your doctor tells you to.


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What can I do to prevent canker sores?


Unfortunately, doctors don't know of anything that prevents canker sores from forming. However, using a toothpaste that does not contain SLS (sodium lauryl sulfate) or other irritating ingredients, avoiding chewing gum, hard, crunchy or spicy foods may help reduce mouth irritation. Brushing your teeth after meals, using a soft toothbrush and flossing every day will also keep your mouth free of food that might cause a canker sore. If you get canker sores often, or if they're very painful, talk to your family doctor.
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[nhcigarfan]

I find they usually get worse, especially if it's on your lip near where the cigar is held. I would hold off.

[slcraiders]

When did Cinda get into the WebMD business?

[cinda]

Anything to help...

[Eville]

Doctors don't know what causes canker sores, but they may be triggered by ... menstrual periods.

Doesn't look like the cigars are your problem.

[nhcigarfan]

Doesn't look like the cigars are your problem.

All depends on where he stores his cigars.

[basil]

Haven't had one of these in a while, but I do have a medicine that I've had for a long while that helps a lot: Orabase (not Oragel). It has a topical anesthetic that provides immediate relief, and it sticks to the sore (which is wet). I found that using it right before I go to bed works best - less chance of it coming off.

[Iminspired]

Thanks for all of the responses and advice! I think I'll just quit until the sore heals.

I've been meaning to smoke for a while, I've just been doing a lot lately. I guess healing from this canker sore will be another thing to celebrate when I finally do. Yes!

[Cigars4Me]

I use to suffer from this most of my adult and while I was a kid. I had a dentist who had an ointment that he would give to me and while he wouldn't tell me what the medicine was it worked in 2 days. I would usually suffer with them for at least 2 weeks before getting relief. Subsequently I had an Internal Medicine Doctor give me tetracycline pills that I would mix with water until it became a paste and spread it on the affected area and that really helped as well and healed them within a few days.

[badwhale]

I use to suffer from this most of my adult and while I was a kid. I had a dentist who had an ointment that he would give to me and while he wouldn't tell me what the medicine was it worked in 2 days. I would usually suffer with them for at least 2 weeks before getting relief. Subsequently I had an Internal Medicine Doctor give me tetracycline pills that I would mix with water until it became a paste and spread it on the affected area and that really helped as well and healed them within a few days.

I take it that's your intro...

Welcome from Bitterville, PA

[Cigars4Me]

I take it that's your intro...

Welcome from Bitterville, PA

Oops, thought I had already done that. Wonder if I took one too many pills. Thx for the reminder and welcome.