18 Home Remedies for Mouth Ulcers
18 Home Remedies
for Mouth Ulcers
Home Remedies for Mouth Ulcers
Aphthous ulcers more commonly known as Mouth Ulcers develop on the gums or inside the mouth. Even though they can hurt and make it difficult to speak or eat, they often don’t have a lasting negative impact. In a matter of weeks, most canker sores will naturally heal.
Many over-the-counter (OTC) medicines and home treatments can hasten the healing process, but they don’t work like magic. A mouth ulcer is unlikely to be cured by any treatment in a single day.
Use with caution as many mouth ulcer treatments haven’t been well researched. If you have any questions, you can also contact your doctor’s office.
1, Mouth Rinses for Mouth Ulcers
Chlorhexidine-containing mouthwash can help prevent germs from spreading and worsening a mouth ulcer. It may also assist in preventing additional inflammation. However, since alcohol can irritate the sore, you should avoid using mouthwash that contains alcohol.
An OTC mouthwash with a formula containing lidocaine, a substance that might lessen the agony of a mouth ulcer, is available for mouth sores. Additionally, a doctor could advise you to use dexamethasone- or lidocaine-containing prescription mouthwash.
2, OTC mouth ulcer treatment
There are various alternative over-the-counter mouth ulcer treatments in addition to mouthwashes. In order to treat pain and inflammation, they include anaesthetics in gel or cream form that contain lidocaine.
You can also buy a corticosteroid. Pain relief and healing may be aided by this kind of product.
Another effective anti-inflammatory choice is nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs) that contain diclofenac depending on the source of pain relief.
Before attempting an over-the-counter remedy, people who are expecting a baby or nursing a baby should use caution. To determine whether these solutions are safe for you, be sure to consult a doctor.
3, Alum powder
Aluminium potassium sulphate is used to make alum powder. It is frequently used to pickle vegetables and preserve food. Due to its astringent qualities, alum may aid in tissue shrinkage and mouth ulcer healing.
To use:
- By combining a tiny bit of alum powder and a drop of water, you can make a paste.
- Apply the paste directly on the sore.
- Leave it on for a minimum of one minute.
- Wash your mouth out completely.
- Repeat each day until the mouth ulcer clears up.
4, Rinse with Salt Water
A tried-and-true, albeit painful, home cure for mouth sores of any kind is to rinse your mouth with salt water. It might aid in mouth ulcer healing.
To use:
- 1 teaspoon (tsp) of salt should be dissolved in 1/2 cup of warm water.
- For 15 to 30 seconds, swirl this mixture in your mouth before spitting it out.
- Repeat as necessary every few hours.
5, Rinse with Baking Soda
Mouth ulcers may heal faster if baking soda is used because it is believed to regulate pH levels and lessen the irritation.
To use:
- Dissolve 1/2 cup of water with 1 teaspoon of baking soda.
- For 15 to 30 seconds, swirl this mixture in your mouth before spitting it out.
- Repeat as necessary every few hours.
Although swallowing baking soda won’t hurt you, you should attempt to avoid doing so because it is quite salty.
6, Yoghurt
There is no recognised cause for mouth ulcers. Some could be brought on by the bacteria Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
Live probiotic cultures, such as Lactobacillus, may aid in the eradication of H. pylori, according to a 2020 mouse study. In theory, consuming yoghurt with live probiotic cultures may be beneficial if either of those diseases led to mouth ulcers. There is a need for more human research.
Consume at least 1 cup of yoghurt every day to help prevent or treat mouth ulcers.
7, Apply Honey
The antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties of honey are well established. Honey is effective in lowering canker sore discomfort, size, and redness claims a 2014 study. It might also aid in avoiding subsequent infections.
Apply honey to the sore four times each day to use.
Not all honey is made equally. Most grocery store honey is pasteurised at high heat, which renders the majority of the nutrients inert. Like Manuka honey, unpasteurized, unfiltered honey is less processed and keeps its therapeutic characteristics.
8, Coconut oil
Due to the significant amount of lauric acid in coconut oil, research has demonstrated that it possesses antibacterial capabilities. It might aid in the treatment of bacterially-induced canker sores and stop them from spreading. Additionally an effective natural anti-inflammatory, coconut oil may lessen discomfort and redness. And it tastes fantastic!
Apply coconut oil liberally to the sore to use. Apply again several times daily until the canker sore is healed.
9, Hydrogen peroxide
By cleansing the sore and decreasing oral bacteria, hydrogen peroxide accelerates the healing of a canker sore.
To use:
- Mix equal parts water and a hydrogen peroxide solution at a concentration of 3%.
- Enter the mixture with a cotton ball or cotton swab.
- Several times per day, directly apply the mixture to your mouth ulcers.
Diluted hydrogen peroxide can also be used as a mouthwash. Spend about a minute swishing the mouthwash around in your mouth before spitting it out.
10, Milk of magnesia
There is magnesium hydroxide in milk of magnesia. Both a laxative and an acid neutralizer, it. It could alter the pH in your tongue when taken orally, preventing the sore from healing. Additionally, it protects the area to lessen discomfort and lessen itchiness.
To use:
- To treat your mouth ulcer, dab a little milk of magnesia on it.
- After letting it sit for a few seconds, rinse.
- Repeat each day up to three times.
11, Chamomile compress
An all-natural solution for pain relief and wound healing is chamomile. Azulene and levomenol, two substances with anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, are found in German chamomile. You can use a chamomile tea bag as a compress to treat canker sores.
Apply a damp chamomile tea bag to the canker sore and let it sit there for a few minutes to use. Before applying it, make sure the tea bag is not too hot. You can also use freshly made chamomile tea to rinse your mouth. Three to four times per day, repeat the procedure.
12, Echinacea
Echinacea’s capacity to heal wounds and strengthen the immune system may aid in the treatment of canker sores as well as their prevention.
To use:
- One teaspoon of liquid echinacea should be added to two cups of warm water.
- Spend roughly two minutes swishing the solution around your mouth.
- Spit the mixture out or ingest it.
Drinking echinacea tea as mouthwash could also be helpful. Up to three times each day, repeat either treatment.
13, Sage Tea
Mouth inflammation has long been treated with sage tea. Sage mouthwash functions as an all-purpose mouth rinse for a variety of oral issues. It possesses astringent, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial effects. It might also lessen pain.
Use sage mouthwash as instructed. You can buy it at most pharmacies. Alternatively, you can prepare your own sage rinse:
- Add 1 or 2 tablespoons of fresh sage leaves to boiling water.
- Allow stewing for a minimum of five minutes.
- Once the solution has cooled, strain it.
- Spend a few minutes swishing the rinse in and out of your mouth.
- Spit it out or swallow it.
14, DGL mouthwash
DGL mouthwash is a natural extract of liquorice. It is regarded as a natural treatment for stomach ulcers and is believed to have anti-inflammatory properties. DGL is offered as a supplement that you can use to create mouthwash.
To use:
- 1 cup of warm water and the 200 milligrammes of powder from 1 DGL capsule are combined.
- For around three minutes, swish the mixture in and out of your mouth.
- Spit it out.
DGL is also offered as a mouth patch to aid in the reduction of mouth ulcers. The patch is applied to a sore, and you leave it there for at least 30 minutes. If you believe that the patch is a good choice for you, ask your doctor or dentist where you may buy it.
15, Apple Cider Vinegar
ACV is promoted as a treatment for nearly everything, including canker sores. It is believed that the acid in ACV aids in the destruction of sore-irritating bacteria. However, the treatment is debatable because some people’s canker sores can be aggravated or caused by acidic meals. Utilize it with care.
To use:
- Mix 1 cup of water with 1 teaspoon of ACV.
- For 30 to 1 minute, swish this mixture around your mouth.
- Spit it out and give your mouth a good rinse.
- Repeat each day.
Many websites advise using a cotton swab to administer ACV straight to the mouth ulcer. For some people, this method may shorten the healing process, but it may also aggravate their discomfort.
In either case, it’s crucial to rinse your mouth thoroughly with water after taking ACV to protect your teeth’s enamel.
16, Zinc lozenges
You may develop mouth ulcers if your immune system is compromised. Your immunity will be boosted by the mineral zinc. Your immune system may be strengthened if you use zinc lozenges to combat the bacteria that cause canker sores. If you have a sore, it could also hasten the healing process.
The majority of pharmacies and the internet both carry zinc lozenges. They could also include echinacea as an additional component. One is often dissolved in the mouth. To find out how frequently you should do so, consult the manufacturer’s instructions.
17, Vitamin B
If your diet is lacking in vitamin B12, you can have canker sores more frequently. The precise mechanism by which vitamin B12 treats mouth ulcers is unknown.
A 2009 study found that participants receiving 1,000 micrograms of vitamin B12 daily experienced fewer mouth ulcer breakouts, overall fewer sores, and less discomfort than those receiving a placebo.
Other B vitamins could be beneficial. All eight B vitamins, including B12, are present in vitamin B complex supplements. Before using vitamin B complex pills, speak with a doctor because they may have negative effects.
18, Watermelon frost
Traditional Chinese medicine has recommended watermelon frost as a mouth ulcer treatment. Studies have confirmed its efficacy in treating mouth ulcers.
It’s marketed as a
- Powder
- Tablets
- Spray
For pain relief and accelerated healing, immediately apply it to the sore.
You can either attempt making your own watermelon frost or get it from an Asian herb store or online.
Outlook
The majority of mouth ulcers are not dangerous. Rarely do they have long-lasting negative effects. However, some mouth ulcers call for a visit to the doctor.
If you suffer any of the following, consult a doctor:
- The mouth ulcer measures more than 1-3 cm in diameter.
- Your mouth is covered in ulcers.
- Before previous ulcers have fully healed, new ones appear.
- After two weeks, the ulcers have not healed.
- Your lips start to feel painful.
- Extreme pain is felt from the ulcer.
- Eating and drinking are painful due to the ulcer.
- You’re feverish as well.
If a jagged or sharp tooth or oral hygiene equipment is the source of your mouth ulcer, you should see a doctor or dentist.