Canker Sore Remedies And Prevention

Canker sores, also called mouth ulcers, are the worst. They typically go away on their own, but why live in pain if you don’t have to? Here’s what may be causing your sore, plus few ways to treat and nip those nasty suckers in the bud.

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Definition

A canker sore is a painful open sore that affects the mucosal membrane of the mouth. Often confused with cold sores (which are related to herpes and form on the lips or face), mouth ulcers are not viral or contagious and form only inside the mouth. They typically appear on the inside of the cheeks, lip, or tongue. They can also come in clusters (rude).

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Symptoms

Typical symptoms may include:

• small yellow or white round ulcer(s) in the mouth
• stinging or tingling sensation in your mouth
• ulcer has red rim around it

More severe symptoms might include:

• fever
• feeling sick
• swollen lymph nodes

No one knows the exact cause of canker sores, but we do know they’re not contagious. Here are some common triggers.

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Common Causes

Research has yet to identify exact mouth ulcer causes, but studies have found links with:

• Stress and anxiety
• Oral trauma, such as injuries caused by dental work, braces or ill-fitting dentures, biting your tongue or cheeks
• Genetics
• Medical conditions such as celiac disease and Inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease)
• Triggering foods and/or chemicals
• Toothpastes/rinses with sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS)
• A diet lacking zinc, iron, folic acid, or vitamin B-12
• Allergic reaction to bacteria
• Hormonal changes
• Quitting smoking
• Food hypersensitivity (common culprits include citrus fruits, eggs, nuts, cheese, chocolate, and spicy foods)

Women are more likely than men to develop recurring mouth ulcers, and young adults suffer more frequently than older adults. Lacerations such as cuts from braces or accidental biting of the lip or cheek can also lead to mouth ulcers.

About 20% of people get recurring mouth ulcers and more than 60% of people will develop a mouth ulcer at least once in their lifetime.

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Duration

Most simple canker sores usually hurt for 7 to 10 days. Complex canker sores are another story. These are larger and more painful than simple canker sores. They can last up to 6 weeks and might leave a scar.

Complex canker sores may be caused by:

• vitamin B-12 or iron deficiency
• medical conditions (e.g. celiac disease, ulcerative colitis, and Crohn’s disease)

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Remedies

Here are some awesome remedies to consider.

1. Baking soda

Baking soda might help reduce inflammation by balancing your pH. Its alkaline properties will neutralize acids that irritate the canker sore. It also helps kill bacteria to help your sore heal quickly. For a cure, try this home remedy: Rinse your mouth with a solution of 1 teaspoon baking soda in 1/2 cup of warm water.

How to use it:

1. Dissolve 1 teaspoon baking soda in 1/2 cup water.
2. Swish it around in your mouth for 15 to 30 seconds.
3. Spit it out.
4. Repeat every few hours as needed.

2. Salt water

Gargling salt water can provide relief while helping to prevent infections. Higher concentrations of sodium chloride draw water from surrounding tissues by osmosis, which helps heal abscesses and open wounds such as the canker sores.

How to use it:

1. Dissolve 1 teaspoon salt in 1/2 cup warm water.
2. Swish it around your mouth for 15 to 30 seconds.
3. Spit it out.
4. Repeat every few hours as needed.

3. Alum powder

Alum powder has astringent properties that can shrink and dry out canker sores.

How to use it:

1. Mix a tiny amount of alum powder with a drop of water.
2. Dab the paste onto a canker sore.
3. Leave on for at least 1 minute.
4. Rinse with water.
5. Repeat daily.

4. Honey

Unpasteurized, unfiltered honey has some magical antibacterial and anti-inflammatory superpowers. Studies show applying honey to a canker sore can ease pain and reduce its size.

Apply honey to your mouth ulcer four times a day.

5. Coconut oil

Research shows coconut oil has antimicrobial abilities that can prevent accumulation of bacteria, so it can keep the sore from getting more infected. It also has anti-inflammatory properties that may reduce redness and pain.

Apply it several times a day to the sore.

6. Yogurt

Yogurt contains live probiotic which can combat H.pylori bacteria and inflammatory bowel disease (IBS) that are triggering canker sores. So there’s a high chance that a cup of yogurt a day, will keep those canker sores away! It’s awesome for your digestion too!

7. Aloe Vera

Aloe vera gel can speed healing and reduce pain and inflammation.

How to use it:

1. Dry the canker sore area with a cotton swab.
2. Slice an aloe leaf.
3. Dab a bit of the gel with a spoon directly on the sore.
4. Repeat as often as necessary.

8. Milk of magnesia

Milk of magnesia has magnesium hydroxide, a natural acid neutralizer — which might help the sore from spreading. It also coats the sore, which can alleviate pain.

How to use it:

1. Dab a small amount of milk of magnesia directly to the sore with a cotton swab.
2. Let it sit for several seconds.
3. Rinse.
4. Repeat up to three to four times daily.

9. Tea bags

Tea has alkaline properties that can neutralize acids that irritate the sore. In addition, a chamomile tea has the antiseptic and anti-inflammatory compounds azulene and levomenol that may help relieve pain.

How to use it:

1. Apply a damp tea bag to the canker sore for five minutes to feel some relief. OR;
2. Drink a cup of chamomile tea with honey to reduce pain and inflammation.

10. Sage

Sage has antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, and astringent properties making it a great natural canker sore remedy.

How to use it:

1. Steep 2 teaspoons of dried sage in a cup of boiling water.
2. Let it cool off.
3. Use as a mouth rinse 2 or 3 times a day for an effective cure. Make sure to swish the tea in the area of your mouth with the canker sore.

11. Hydrogen peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide is a strong disinfectant, it is an alkaline, which provides extra relief by neutralizing acids. A dab of hydrogen peroxide is great for cleaning out mouth ulcers and reducing bacteria in the mouth though it might sting a bit.

How to use it:

1. Dilute a 3% solution of hydrogen peroxide with equal parts water.
2. Dip a cotton swab into the mixture.
3. Apply directly to the sore.
4. Use a few times daily.

12. Apple cider vinegar

Apple cider vinegar eliminates bacteria, though it may not be for everyone, as some say it can make the sore worse because of its acidity.

How to use it:

1. Combine 1 teaspoon of this and 1 cup of water.
2. Swish it around your mouth for 30 seconds to 1 minute.
3. Spit it out. Make sure to thoroughly rinse your mouth, because ACV can destroy tooth enamel.
4. Repeat daily.

13. Vitamin E

Cut open a Vitamin E Capsule and squeeze a bit of the liquid onto the sore. It will help protect the sore from further infection and help it cure more quickly.

14. Other vitamins

Lysine, an amino acid, may be needed to fix a deficiency associated with canker sores. Check with your doctor if you should take 500 milligrams of L-lysine 3 times a day until your sore is healed.

Vitamin C might also help, as it works to heal your mouth’s mucous membranes. Check with your physician if you can take 1,000 milligrams of vitamin C supplements 3 times a day.

Zinc is a mineral that can boost immunity. Zinc lozenges can help fight the bacteria that can cause canker sores. Check with your doctor if you can take 30 milligrams of zinc lozenges each day until it’s gone.

Vitamin B12 can also help to prevent a breakout. A 2017 study found those taking Vitamin B-12 had fewer canker sores and outbreaks. B-12 may also help to reduce the pain.

15. OTC topical gel and mouth rinse

If you’re not into more holistic treatments, head to the store and pick up an over-the-counter topical gel. Manufacturers also make mouth rinses designed to get rid of canker sore pain and inflammation.

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Prevention

It may not be possible to prevent mouth ulcers, because they’re often caused by uncontrollable factors such as a family history or a medical condition.

However, the following may help to reduce your risk of developing mouth ulcers:

• Avoid certain foods such as chocolate, spicy foods, coffee, peanuts, almonds, strawberries, cheese, tomatoes, spices, wheat flour, foods and drinks high in acidic content, and other dry and crunchy foods especially if they are causing you mouth ulcers.
• Try to avoid talking while you’re chewing your food to reduce accidental bites.
• Brush your teeth with a soft-bristled brush, which may reduce irritation in your mouth.
• Use toothpaste that doesn’t contain Sodium Lauryl Sulphate (SLS).
• Minimize stress, take time off to relax, eat right and get plenty of sleep.
• Reducing stress and maintaining good oral hygiene by using dental floss daily and brushing after meals also may help.
• Your dentist can give you wax to cover dental or orthodontic mouth devices that have sharp edges.

You should call your doctor or dentist if you have:

• Unusually large sores.
• Sores that are spreading.
• Sores that last three weeks or longer.
• Intolerable pain despite avoiding trigger foods and taking over-the-counter pain medication.
• Difficulty drinking enough fluids.
• A high fever with the appearance of the canker sore(s).

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Sources:
1. https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/mouth/mouth-ulcer
2. https://www.healthline.com/health/mouth-ulcers
3. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/canker-sore/symptoms-causes/syc-20370615
4. https://www.crestwooddental.com/what-causes-canker-sores-how-can-you-prevent-them/ (featured image)

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