Canker sores in babies, also known as stomatitis, are characterized by small sores in the mouth, generally yellowish in the center and reddish on the outside, which can appear on the tongue, roof of the mouth, inside the cheeks, on the gums, at the bottom of the baby’s mouth or throat.
Normally, canker sores disappear in 1 or 2 weeks, however, symptoms improve in about 3 to 7 days, when treatment is carried out, and the pediatrician may recommend the use of analgesic medications, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen, and of ointments to promote healing, according to the pediatrician’s instructions.
Furthermore, it is important to take some precautions, such as offering liquids, preferably cold, so the child does not become dehydrated and cleaning the baby’s mouth with cotton or gauze wet with cold water to alleviate discomfort.
Treatment options for mouth ulcers in babies
Typically, cold sore symptoms improve in about 7 to 14 days, however, there are some forms of treatment that can reduce discomfort and speed recovery. These include:
1. Cold sore remedies
The most commonly used medicines to treat canker sores are analgesics, such as Ibuprofen or Paracetamol, as they relieve the inflammation and pain of the canker sore, reducing the discomfort felt by the baby.
These remedies should only be used under the guidance of a doctor, as doses vary according to the child’s weight.
2. Ointments for children’s cold sores
Some examples of ointments for cold sores in babies are Gingilone or Omcilon-a Orabase, which have a faster effect than analgesic medications and stimulate healing, and should be applied directly to the cold sore.
These ointments can be swallowed without risk to the baby, but their effect wears off more quickly than oral medications, as they need to be in contact with the cold sore.
3. Other home care
Although medications have a great effect on relieving pain and speeding up treatment, there are some precautions that can be taken at home to ensure even more comfort for the baby, including:
- Offer water, natural juices or fruit smoothies, so the baby does not become dehydrated;
- Avoid giving carbonated and acidic drinks to the baby, as this worsens the pain;
- Give cold, unseasoned foods, such as gelatin, cold soup, yogurt or ice cream, for example, as hot, seasoned foods increase pain;
- Clean the baby’s mouth with gauze or cotton wool dipped in cold water to relieve pain.
Furthermore, it is also important that, during treatment, the baby does not go to daycare, as this could transmit the virus to other children.
