Canker sores can be a painful condition for the person who is experiencing them. Eating and anything that you intake causes pain and discomfort. However, food allergies or mouth trauma can be a reason for canker sores. Usually, these sores go away on their own, but if you want them to heal faster, you can consider home remedies that can be helpful in the rapid healing of canker sores. There are several at home treatment for canker sores available to help ease the discomfort of alum for canker sores. From saltwater or baking soda gargles to milk of magnesia to diet changes, relief is not far away. First, let’s answer the question: What is a canker sore?
What Are Canker Sores?
Canker sores are small ulcers, also called aphthous ulcerations, that occur either on your gums or in your mouth. Whether bacteria cause them or trauma is still being investigated, but it is likely. They can be painful, but generally, you don’t need to worry about them causing permanent damage because they heal in a couple of weeks. They can also make it hard to eat or talk like usual and may rub against your braces. Therefore, you can use an over-the-counter canker sore home remedy or a natural one for fast healing.
Canker sores should not be confused with cold or fever blisters, which usually appear on the lips and are caused by the herpes simplex virus.
How Can I Treat Canker Sores?
Several commercial oral medications are on the market to help relieve canker sore pain and inflammation and reduce bruises. You can also use several at-home remedies to help relieve pain and heal faster. You can also contact your dentist near me or orthodontist to see what they recommend. Many different mouth rinses can help reduce the symptoms. Let’s look at some of the home remedies for canker sores.
Home Remedies for Canker Sores Gathered from the Internet
Disclaimer: These suggestions are sourced from the internet. It’s important to consult your dentist or orthodontist before pursuing any treatment. If you reside in Miami or nearby areas, you are welcome to visit our clinic. Book Your Appointment Now!
Alum powder:
This powder, made of potassium aluminum sulfate, is frequently used in food preservation due to its astringency. It is the best way to get rid of canker sores by helping dry them out. Mix some alum powder with a couple of drops of water to make a paste, and apply it to the canker sore. Leave on for one minute, and then rinse. You can use it once a day until the sore is gone.
Yogurt or Curd:
This might sound weird, but the live cultures in yogurt may help counteract the bacteria that cause alum for canker sores. This is the best home remedy for canker sores, so just eat a cup of yogurt a day, but make sure you see the words live or probiotic cultures on the package.
Honey:
This has been used since antiquity to help preserve things and has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. Simply apply honey to a canker sore four times daily to help heal the sore. Remember, though, that babies and toddlers should never be fed honey. If you can find unpasteurized local honey, that is the best choice.
Coconut oil:
This particular oil has some antimicrobial properties, so if you swish it around your canker sore, it can both help with the bacteria that caused the canker sore and act as an anti-inflammatory that reduces the lump and, therefore, some of the pain it causes. You can do this several times a day.
Hydrogen peroxide:
Hydrogen peroxide helps by cleaning out the bacteria that cause the canker sore. To use as a canker sore remedy, you will want to use the 3% peroxide version that you can get at the store with equal water, then use a cotton swab to apply the solution to your canker sore. You can use this several times a day. Alternatively, you can use the peroxide dilution like a mouthwash. Swish for a minute, then spit it out. It’s important not to swallow peroxide. You can easily use it for canker-sore treatment at home to heal the sores.
Saltwater rinse:
Saltwater rinse is a classic home canker sore treatment for all kinds of soreness in the mouth. It may be a bit irritating at the time, but ultimately, it will be soothing and help dry out the sore. Use at a ratio of 1 teaspoon salt to ½ cup warm water. Swish for up to 30 seconds, then spit it out. You can use this as often as you need.
Baking soda:
While also salty, it is alkaline, so it can help balance your mouth’s pH and, therefore, reduce the soreness. Make a baking soda rinse and use it as a canker sore remedy, like you do for the saltwater rinse.
Chamomile tea:
This herb is widely used to soothe irritated things. It can also help heal due to its anti-inflammatory properties and reduce the bacteria that are causing the sore. It’s easy to apply; use a chamomile tea bag on your canker sore and let it sit for a few minutes. Alternatively, you can brew the tea and use it as a mouth rinse. This is safe to use up to four times a day.
Echinacea:
This herbal remedy can help heal the sore and also help support the mouth tissues to prevent future sores from forming. Use liquid echinacea in a ratio of one teaspoon of liquid to one teaspoon of water. Swish for two minutes, then spit it out. You can also brew some echinacea tea and use it as a mouth rinse. These are safe to use up to three times a day.
Sage leaves:
This wonderful herb that makes holiday stuffing taste like stuffing is also great at reducing inflammation in the mouth. You can make an easy canker sore remedy mouthwash that has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. Use one to two tablespoons of fresh sage leaves, available at your grocery store, and brew with boiling water. Let it steep for five minutes before straining, and then let it cool. Swish for two minutes, then spit it out.
Milk of Magnesia:
You might think this one is strange, but some studies have shown that those who suffer from irritable bowel syndrome may also be more susceptible to canker sores. Milk of Magnesia can be an effective way of treating canker sores at home by lowering the acid in your mouth and therefore reducing the canker sore, much like baking soda does, thus speeding the healing process. It also has agents that can coat the mouth, so you are less likely to notice the pain. Apply the MoM to your sore canker and let it sit for a few seconds before rinsing. You can use this safely three times a day.
Zinc lozenges:
Zinc helps boost your immune system, so it can kill the bacteria causing your canker to sore. Just use the lozenge per the package instructions.
Deglycyrrhizinated licorice:
This is an herbal extract of licorice that has anti-inflammatory properties and is great at helping stomach ulcers, which is why it is thought to work well for canker sores. DGL is found in capsule forms at vitamin shops or online. To make it into a canker sore remedy, use one capsule and mix it with one cup of warm water, then swish for three minutes and spit it out. You can also find DGL patches that are meant to apply to canker sores. Use for 30 minutes, and then remove.
Apple cider vinegar:
It might seem strange that an acidic option is a good one, but there are a lot of properties to ACV that make it effective for a lot of natural medicine purposes. It has antibacterial properties that will kill the bacteria that cause the sore. Use one teaspoon of ACV in one cup of water, swish for up to a minute, then spit out and rinse to keep the acid from harming your tooth enamel. You can use it once a day. If you find that your canker sore gets worse by using it, discontinue use.
Vitamin B supplements:
You may be more susceptible to canker sores if you don’t have enough B vitamins in your diet, particularly B-12. You can readily find B-complex vitamins in your local supermarket or drugstore, but they can come with some side effects or make you feel a bit nauseous. You should talk to your doctor before beginning a B vitamin regimen.
Clove oil:
This comes in an oral gel that you apply to the sore to help reduce the pain of canker sores. Or you can find clove oil at a pharmacy and apply it as a canker-sore remedy.
Aloe vera:
Aloe vera is widely known for its healing and anti-inflammatory properties when treating sunburns, but it can also help with canker sores. Apply straight aloe vera gel to the sore, or drink some aloe vera juice slowly.
Other Ways to Get Rid of Canker Sores
Your diet can also be a reason why you have canker sores. You can make some dietary changes to get rid of canker sores. You need to avoid certain foods, including spicy or acidic foods. Sometimes, not getting enough vitamins can also cause sores in the mouth. So, to get rid of canker sores, avoid eating certain foods. You can also help numb the discomfort by applying ice chips to your sore and just letting them dissolve. Finally, you can use a specialty toothpaste like Sensodyne Pronamel and a soft toothbrush to avoid irritating the area. Consult with your dentist to know which toothpaste will be best for your condition.
What Causes Canker Sores?
Canker sores are painful white or yellow ulcers that appear in the mouth or gums, preventing you from eating anything. Canker sores are not infectious but can cause extreme pain and discomfort. It can occur to anyone because of the following factors:
- Dental trauma
- Dental appliances, such as braces
- Wound inside your mouth.
- Acidic foods, such as citrus fruits.
How Long Do Canker Sores Last?
Canker sores are usually painful and may improve within a few days or weeks without treatment. Therefore, mild canker sores can last from 7 to 14 days and heal without scarring. However, severe sores can last for up to more than a week or two, causing extreme pain and may also leave a scar.
So, if you are suffering from a canker sore that lasts more than a week, schedule an appointment with your doctor.
Talk To Your Dentist!
If you have any worries about your oral health, you should be sure to talk to your dentist near me right away, especially if you keep getting canker sores or you have a sore that just won’t go away with a home canker sore remedy treatment meant to speed healing.
On another note, if you are taking any prescription medications, be sure to ask your doctor or pharmacist before starting any herbal treatments, as they can have a negative influence on some drugs. You can try all these canker sore home remedies to see if they work for your condition or ask for help from your doctor.
Summing Up:
There are numerous natural methods for treating canker sores, but as these remedies involve natural products, some individuals might have sensitivities to certain plants, or a specific treatment might not be effective for everyone. Exploring different options until you find the one that works for you is advisable. Remember, canker sores aren’t permanent and can be effectively treated. If they persist longer than anticipated, it’s wise to consult your dentist or orthodontist. For personalized guidance and treatment, consider visiting Ivanov Orthodontics.
