Try various home remedies until you find the ones that work for you. Be aware of any food allergies or other sensitivities you may have before trying any home remedies. You may also wish to run it by your doctor before you try a home remedy.
Salt is an antiseptic, so it will help to keep the area free of bacteria to promote healing. Try a baking soda rinse instead, using 1 teaspoon of baking soda dissolved in 1/2 cup warm water. [2] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source
Alternatively,combine a handful of fresh sage with 4–8 ounces of water. Store in an airtight glass jar in a cool dark place for 24 hours. Remove the sage and swish only the infused water in your mouth for one minute. [4] X Research source
Be sure to use natural aloe vera gel. Try using aloe vera juice as a rinse. [5] X Research source
If the oil melts too quickly and slides off, you may not be using enough. If you’re still having trouble keeping the oil on the sore, add ½ teaspoon of beeswax to thicken to a paste. [6] X Research source Chew on fresh or dried coconut to achieve a similar pain-reducing effect. [7] X Research source
Use this paste two to three times daily for pain relief. Cayenne pepper also promotes saliva production, which can promote oral health and aid in healing the sore. [10] X Research source
Chewing clove buds and swishing the juice around the ulcer may help, too. [12] X Research source [13] X Research source
Rinse your mouth out with warm water before and after this treatment so that oil can be fully effective. Clove oil has a strong taste that some users find unpleasant, and accidental ingestion of too much oil can have side effects. [16] X Research source
Chamomile has been found to soothe the digestive tract and ease gastrointestinal issues, which may be an underlying cause of mouth ulcers. [19] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U. S. National Institutes of Health Go to source You can also try a compress of fresh sage. Combine a handful of fresh sage with 4–8 ounces of water. Store in an airtight glass jar in a cool dark place overnight. Remove the sage and use a mortar and pestle to mash the leaves to a pulp. Apply this mash directly over the sore for five minutes. [20] X Research source Always rinse your mouth with plain cold water after applying compresses or herbs.
Combine 2 tablespoons of olive or grapeseed oil, 10 drops of peppermint essential oil, eight drops of eucalyptus essential oil in a mister bottle. Cap and shake well before use. Spray the mist, as needed, directly onto the canker sore for pain relief. [22] X Research source
Always contact your doctor or pharmacist before using any medication for non-approved purposes, even if it seems safe. Be sure to keep all of the safety and information documents that come with your purchase, so that you can check for side effects and dosages.
You can also try brushing your teeth using a soft brush and toothpaste free of foaming agents, such as Biotene or Sensodyne. ProNamel. [24] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source
During application to your mouth or gums, avoid swallowing the medication. After application, you should avoid eating for an hour. There is a risk for a rare but life-threatening side effect of this kind of medication called methemoglobinemia. This condition reduces the amount of oxygen in your blood stream to dangerously low levels. [26] X Trustworthy Source US Food and Drug Administration U. S. government agency responsible for promoting public health Go to source
Benzocaine-containing products numb the area temporarily, easing discomfort. Fluocinonide is an anti-inflammatory that may help with pain relief as the inflammation is reduced. Hydrogen peroxide, as an ingredient in medicine, works as an antimicrobial agent, preventing infection and promoting healing, although it should never be used alone.
Antimicrobial mouthwashes help kill bacteria, viruses or fungi that could infect the ulcer. Keeping your mouth clean will help the ulcer to heal and will lessen the pain. [28] X Trustworthy Source National Health Service (UK) Public healthcare system of the UK Go to source Benzydamine, available as a mouthwash or spray, offers local anaesthetic (numbing) and anti-inflammatory properties for pain relief. Note that this mouthwash should not be used for children under 12 years of age and you shouldn’t use it for more than 7 days. [29] X Trustworthy Source National Health Service (UK) Public healthcare system of the UK Go to source
These medications may not be safe for children under 12. Ask your doctor about the potentially serious side effects of corticosteroids. [30] X Trustworthy Source National Health Service (UK) Public healthcare system of the UK Go to source
Debacterol, a topical solution created to treat canker sores and gum problems, may reduce healing time to about a week. Silver nitrate, another chemical solution, may not speed the healing process, but can ease the pain of a mouth ulcer. [31] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source
Sodium lauryl sulfate, an ingredient in many toothpastes and mouth rinses, may cause a reaction in your mouth which leads to a canker sore. Food sensitivities to things like chocolate, coffee, strawberries, eggs, nuts, cheese, and spicy or acidic foods or a diet lacking in vitamin B-12, zinc, folate (folic acid) or iron may cause canker sores.
Wear a mouthguard during contact sports to prevent accidental cheek biting or other damage from your teeth. Use only a toothbrush with a soft head to brush your teeth.
Melt 1 tablespoon of beeswax and 2 teaspoons of coconut oil together. After it has cooled, press a small amount over the area of your tooth or dental devices that rubs the sore. If you have braces, use enough wax that it creates an actual barrier, rather than just pushed into and around the brace.
Your dentist will tell you if you are a candidate for recontouring. If your enamel is too thin, any filing may cause sensitivity to temperature that may be painful. [34] X Trustworthy Source Cleveland Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source Your dentist can “recontour” your teeth by removing tiny bits of enamel with a sanding disc or a fine diamond burr. He or she will shape and smooth the sides with sandpaper, and then will polish your tooth or teeth. [35] X Trustworthy Source Cleveland Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source
