March 2020 - Articles Archive

How To Apply Topical Corticosteroids in the Mouth

Your doctor has prescribed a topical corticosteroid gel, ointment, or cream for periodic application to your mouth sores. Please follow his/her instructions as written on the prescription box regarding how many times you should apply the medication daily.

It is important to make sure that one of these applications occurs just before bedtime in the evening. The medication probably stays in place longer at that time because saliva flow diminishes when you are asleep.

Whenever you can, it will help if you gently blot the mouth sores dry just before you apply the medication. Don’t rub them dry, just blog using gauze. This also will help keep the medication in place for a longer period of time.

When you apply the topical corticosteroid, try to avoid rubbing it in place using a back-and-forth motion, because that motion may rub the “skin” surface away. Instead “dab” the medication into place.

Remember that more is not better. All you need to do is apply a thin coating of the medication. If you do this, it will stay in place better, last longer, and will be safer to use.

- Dr. Burkhart