Does Your Child Have Painful Sores in Their Mouth? This Virus Could be the Cause

You’ve probably heard the phrase, “Open mouth, insert foot” to describe a moment in which someone’s said something they wish they hadn’t, but have you heard of Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease? 

Despite it being a relatively common virus, it’s one that makes a lot of parents furrow their brow in confusion. Maybe the awareness won’t come in handy (no pun intended), but we think knowledge is power and want you to be informed. So, ready to dive in?

First, Let’s Wash Our Hands

Much like the importance of a solid oral hygiene routine for the prevention of gum disease and tooth decay, the importance of handwashing can’t be overstated—especially because there is no vaccination for HFMD. 

Hand, foot, and mouth disease can present with a fever, low appetite, a rash with blisters primarily on their hands and feet, and small sores in and around your child’s mouth. The virus that causes HFMD is called the Coxsackie virus, which spreads through microbes that can live on the body and frequently touched surfaces for several days. 

If you have an infant or toddler, you know many objects end up in their mouths, including unwashed hands, which then go on to touch other objects and could infect you, too. To protect them and yourself, wash often and well! 

Because HFMD is a virus, it has to run its course and can’t be treated with an antibiotic. There are ways to treat the symptoms that can provide relief, though, so don’t hesitate to contact Whalen Dentistry today if your child has been diagnosed with HFMD and you need recommendations. Your Cornelius dental team at Whalen Dentistry wishes your little one speedy healing and hopes to see you both soon!

The content of this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.