It is not contagious, and usually heals on its own within a week or two, so it is sometimes called an aphthous ulcer. It is a small, shallow lesion that develops in the soft tissues of the mouth or at the gum base. There are a number of causes for canker sores, including minor injuries, stress, hormonal changes, food sensitivities, and underlying conditions such as vitamin deficiency or immune disorders. However, they can be painful and interfere with eating and speaking.
For a fixed monthly fee, patients have unlimited access to their primary care physician in direct primary care (DPC). Because DPC physicians do not accept insurance or third-party payments, they are able to focus more on personalized care while reducing administrative costs. Patients with canker sores can benefit from DPC, including:
DPC patients can contact their physicians by telephone, email, text, or video chat anytime, and can schedule same-day or next-day appointments without long waits or referrals. This can help patients with canker sores receive prompt treatment and evaluation, along with follow-up care and wound monitoring.
Comprehensive and coordinated care: DPC physicians provide a variety of services for canker sores, including diagnosis, pain relief, infection control, nutritional counseling, and referrals. Additionally, they can coordinate care with specialists, such as dentists, oral surgeons, and allergists, if necessary. As well as guiding patients with canker sores through the complex and costly health care system, DPC physicians can advocate for their best interests.
Preventive and holistic care: By educating patients about canker sore prevention strategies, such as avoiding trauma to the mouth, reducing stress, avoiding spicy or acidic foods, and maintaining good oral hygiene, DPC physicians can help patients with canker sores prevent further outbreaks. In addition to counseling, support groups, referrals, and resources, they can also help with the emotional, physical, and social aspects of recovering from canker sores.
Compared to traditional fee-for-service patients, DPC patients have lower rates of hospitalizations, emergency department visits, specialist consultations, and diagnostic tests. In turn, patients with canker sores can experience faster healing, lower infection rates, less pain, and improved quality of life as a result of this.
DPC patients pay a fixed monthly fee that covers most of their primary care needs. Furthermore, DPC patients can save money on medications, labs, imaging studies, and procedures that are offered by their physicians or their partners. Patients with canker sores can avoid hidden fees and surprise bills by using this method.
DPC patients report higher satisfaction with their primary care experience than fee-for-service patients. They appreciate the longer and more frequent visits with their physician, the enhanced communication and trust, the personalized and attentive care, and the reduced hassle and stress.
Each patient's unique needs and preferences can be met by DPC physicians. For pain relief, they can offer a variety of medications, including benzocaine, fluocinonide, hydrogen peroxide, or paracetamol. They can also adjust the dosage and duration of pain relief medication depending on the patient's condition and response. If the sore appears to be infected, antibiotics can be prescribed.
Those with canker sores can also get self-care advice from DPC physicians. They can help them with rinsing the mouth with salt water or baking soda solution, applying ice packs or milk of magnesia to the sore, avoiding coffee, chocolate, spicy or salty foods, eating soft or bland foods, drinking liquids with a straw, and brushing gently.
A DPC physician can also recommend complementary therapies for canker sore relief, such as massage therapy, acupuncture, meditation, yoga, or music therapy.
As Winston Churchill said,
“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.”
Physicians at DPC can help patients with canker sores continue their daily activities despite pain or discomfort.
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