Home Remedies for Canker Sores

On this page are home remedies for canker sores or mouth ulcers. This oral ulcer, unlike cold sores, isn't contagious but it hurts just as bad even if it is only a tiny blister. It usually breaks out on the inside of the lips or cheek.

What causes canker sores? The possible causes of canker sores in the mouth are injury because of the slip of a toothbrush, biting the lips, spicy foods, citrus fruits, stress, lack of certain nutrition, rough or abrasive food and allergy to certain foods. The sore usually looks whitish or yellowish in the middle and red all around it.

If you apply some home remedies for canker sores and treat the mouth ulcers by avoiding certain foods or drinks, the sores may heal between 3 days to a week. If you ignore them, it might affect your ability to eat, cause a lot of pain and may take longer to heal.

Home remedies to cankers sores No. 1 - Avoid certain foods

To speed up the healing process, avoid foods that are hot and spicy. Foods that you should try to refrain from eating include chips because they are normally coarse. You should also not consume acidic or citrus fruits.

Home remedies to cankers sores No. 2 - Apply baking soda or salt

Apply baking soda paste that has been mixed with water on the affected area. Some people use table salt instead. It may hurt quite badly initially but once the pain is gone it will help heal the lesion.

Home remedies to cankers sores No. 3 - Use a styptic pencil

A styptic pencil is ideal for minor nicks and cuts and has shown to be effective in treating canker sores.

Home remedies to cankers sores No. 4 - Place a slice of potato

Place a slice of potato, small enough to leave it on the sore for an hour. Then rinse your mouth with salt water. A pinto bean and blended cabbage are alternatives to the potato.

Home remedies to cankers sores No. 5 - Apply milk of magnesia

Milk of magnesia which is used as a remedy for constipation when mixed in equal amount of an allergy medicine called benadryl may reduce the pain. You can try applying this mixture on your mouth sore. The combination acts as a mild anesthetic.

Home remedies to cankers sores No. 6 - Apply goldenseal extract or honey

If you have goldenseal root extract apply on the mouth sore. Otherwise use honey. If you don't have either one of that use hydrogen peroxide to help numb the pain.

Home remedies to cankers sores No. 7 - Brush your teeth gently

If you are rough when you brush your teeth, the toothbrush might hit the sores and it will aggravate the pain.

The best ways to prevent canker sores is to know what causes it. Find out what triggers your mouth ulcers, whether its food such as tomatoes or stress. Once you know, avoid them. If it's due to lack of certain nutrition such as vitamin B12, then increase it in your diet. It is a good practice to drink a lot of water and include healthy supplements such as lysine, yogurt, omega 3 fatty acids and cabbage.

If you suffer from frequent and recurrent mouth ulcers and none of the home remedies for canker sores seem to help, you should see a doctor. This is especially if you develop other problems such as a fever at the same time or the sores develop into scars after they are healed. It could be something more serious.

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