Knowing how to get rid of canker sores can help reduce pain and speed the healing process. There are various home remedies and over-the-counter (OTC) treatments for canker sores, such as: Show
When such
remedies aren't enough, a prescription canker treatment like tetracycline may be needed. This article will go over ways to get rid of canker sores. You'll also learn when to call your provider or dentist about a canker sore instead of trying to use home remedies. Verywell / Brianna Gilmartin What Are Canker Sores?Canker sores are common ulcers in the mouth. They are usually small and shallow and form at the base of the gums. Cankers are also called aphthous ulcers. Cankers usually start off with a tingling sensation but can become painful. Some people may hesitate to talk, eat, or drink because of the discomfort from a canker. Click Play to Learn About the Potential Causes of Canker SoresWhat Causes Canker Sores?
Are Cankers Contagious?Canker sores are not contagious. You can't catch them from someone else or give them to someone else. How Long Do Canker Sores Last?Canker sores usually heal on their own within a week or two. Home remedies may reduce inflammation and bacteria, which can make the sores hurt less until they get better. There are many OTC pastes, gels, and liquid treatments that can temporarily relieve pain and speed the healing of cankers. The options work best if you apply them directly to each canker sore as soon as it appears. Your pharmacist, provider, or dentist can offer advice on which canker treatment is best for you. Home Remedies for Cankers Avoiding canker sore triggers is a good place to start. You can also try some home remedies to reduce pain and help the sores heal. Salt Water and Sodium BicarbonateSaline (salt water) and sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) can help cankers heal faster by reducing acid levels in your mouth. This creates an environment that makes it harder for bacteria to grow, which can help the healing process. Saltwater rinses can also promote healthy gums. How to Make a Salt Water Rinse Never put salt directly on an ulcer. Instead, make a saltwater solution by mixing one teaspoon of salt in one cup of warm water. Swish it in your mouth or gargle it for about 30 seconds, then spit it out. It may sting at first. Putting salt directly on a canker sore can make it worse. Instead, make a saltwater solution and gently rinse your mouth with it. How to Make a Baking Soda Paste Mix a little baking soda with a small amount of water until it thickens. Put the paste on your canker sore(s). Repeat as often as needed while your mouth heals. Hydrogen Peroxide SolutionHydrogen peroxide is an antiseptic that can help keep your sore free of bacteria, which will help it heal. How to Make a Hydrogen Peroxide Rinse Mix one part hydrogen peroxide with one part water. Dab the solution on your canker sore with a cotton swab. If you're using a hydrogen peroxide solution to rinse your mouth, do not swallow it. HoneyStudies have found that honey has healing properties, including for canker sores. How to Use Honey Applying honey to the sore several times a day can help reduce pain as well as decrease ulcer size and redness. You can also use honey as a canker sore remedy by mixing it in a soothing tea such as chamomile and drinking several cups a day. Studies have found that chamomile is helpful by itself for healing sores in the mouth. Coconut OilCoconut oil contains lauric acid, which can help fight harmful bacteria in the body. How to Rinse With Coconut Oil Daily swishing with about a tablespoon of coconut oil—a practice known as oil pulling—may help reduce bacteria in the mouth, promote gum health, and aid the healing process. Apple Cider Vinegar RinseAnother antibacterial household staple, apple cider vinegar, can be used in a rinse to help heal your canker sores. How to Make an Apple Cider Vinegar Rinse Mix a teaspoon of the vinegar into a cup of water. Swish the solution around your mouth for up to a
minute. Then spit and rinse your mouth thoroughly. An apple cider vinegar rinse may sting. You also don't want to use the rinse more than once a day because vinegar is highly acidic and can damage tooth enamel. OTC Canker TreatmentsYou can find several non-prescription treatments for canker sores in the dental care section of your supermarket or drugstore. Oral Health Products
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions when using OTC products. Do not use more than one OTC product at the same time or mix them with treatments that have been prescribed for you unless your pharmacist or provider says it's OK. Milk of Magnesia and BenadrylMilk of magnesia is a liquid suspension of magnesium hydroxide. It is frequently used as an antacid and as a laxative to relieve constipation. Milk of magnesia can also help reduce canker sore pain by neutralizing acid and coating the ulcer. The best way to put milk of magnesia to a canker is with a cotton swab. You can apply it three to four times a day. You may want to put it on after rinsing your mouth with a hydrogen peroxide solution. Liquid Benadryl (diphenhydramine), an allergy medication, can also help reduce inflammation and encourage the healing of a canker sore. Benadryl is very useful for mouth ulcers that are caused by food allergies or sensitivities. You can combine liquid Benadryl with milk of magnesia to make an oral rinse. Mix one part of each and rinse with the solution for one minute, then spit it out. Do not swallow it. Prescription Treatments for CankersPrescription medication is sometimes necessary to treat persistent or infected canker sores. One treatment your dentist can prescribe is tetracycline suspension (liquid). You will need to hold the medicine in your mouth for two to five minutes before swallowing it. Tetracycline is usually not prescribed for children with canker sores because it can cause permanent discoloration in developing teeth. CorticosteroidsYour dentist may prescribe corticosteroids like prednisone and dexamethasone for severe canker sores. Dexamethasone suspension (liquid) can be used as an oral rinse that you hold in your mouth, then spit out. When to See a Dentist for a Canker SoreIf you have a canker sore that does not get better with home remedies or OTC treatment, you might need something else. It's important to be seen by a healthcare provider who can prescribe the right treatment. Call your dentist if
you have:
SummaryYou can reduce canker sore pain and support healing with some OTC and at-home remedies like salt water rinses, honey, and oral health products. If you have many canker sores, they hurt a lot, or they keep coming back, it's time to see a dentist. They can find out why you have cankers and prescribe the best treatment for them. Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fastest way to heal a canker sore?Use salt water or baking soda rinse (dissolve 1 teaspoon of baking soda in 1/2 cup warm water). Dab a small amount of milk of magnesia on your canker sore a few times a day. Avoid abrasive, acidic or spicy foods that can cause further irritation and pain.
How do you know a canker sore is healing?In the next stage, the typical yellow-gray ulcer forms, with redness surrounding the ulcer like a halo. During this period, the pain may increase. Finally, the healing stage begins, and healthy tissue starts closing over the sore. The pain goes away as the ulcer gets smaller.
Can a canker sore go away in 2 days?Most canker sores will heal on their own in a few days to a couple of weeks.
Why is canker sore not going away?It's possible that your canker sores aren't random, but are a symptom of a larger underlying health issue or disease. Non-healing canker sores are often traced back to root causes such as autoimmune diseases, vitamin or mineral deficiencies, or allergies.
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