Treating canker sores with home remedies is usually very effective if they appear sporadically. We explain how to speed healing and when to go see a doctor.
- Why do sores or canker sores come out in the mouth?
- Home remedies for mouth sores
- How to cure a mouth sore: more tips
- Diet to prevent sores
Canker sores or sores on the tongue or anywhere in the mouth can become extremely painful and can have different causes, but they can be cured with home and natural remedies.
These small ulcers are called canker sores and usually produce a slight burning or tingling sensation. They usually start as just a pore that then reddens and shows a yellowish-white layer, formed by fibrin, a protein that appears when the blood coagulates.
Sores or canker sores of the mouth are usually smaller than a lentil, but can reach up to 3 cm in diameter.
They usually heal on their own in a few days, at most within two weeks. A wound or stain on the mouth that stays above that time, even if it doesn’t bother, requires a doctor to see it.
WHY DO SORES OR CANKER SORES COME OUT IN THE MOUTH?
Aphthous ulcers can have several causes. They mostly arise for completely harmless reasons, such as an injury to the oral mucosa. A sore can develop, for example, when we bite our tongue by accident or when we bite the inner side of the cheek when eating.
However, the following causes may also be behind the appearance of mouth sores or canker sores:
- Food intolerance.
- Disorders such as celiac disease, acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, and chronic inflammatory bowel diseases.
- General immunodeficiency (for example, in the case of diabetes).
- Deficiency symptoms (such as iron or vitamin B12).
- Fluctuations in hormonal balance.
- Stress.
If canker sores come out in the mouth repeatedly, your doctor should look for what may be the cause.
HOME REMEDIES FOR MOUTH SORES
We can resort to various home remedies to cure sores, but it is important to remember that good oral hygiene also contributes to healing.
The following home remedies for canker sores can speed up the healing process or relieve some pain:
- Ice. You can suck ice cubes to relieve the pain. The cold numbs the pain in the mouth because it narrows the blood vessels.
- Honey. Apply some honey on the affected area. It contains hydrogen peroxide and methylglyoxal, which kill wound bacteria and thus accelerate healing.
- Infusion of sage and chamomile. Both sage and chamomile are anti-inflammatory and an effective home remedy for canker sores. Mix two tablespoons of the loose plants, put them in a bag to make infusions. Leave the sachet in freshly boiled water for 5 minutes, take it out and let it cool. Once cold, press gently against the canker sores. Leave it on for 20 minutes and repeat the process two or three times a day.
- Tea tree oil. Tea tree works as a home remedy for canker sores because it can fight different types of infections. Mix three drops in a teaspoon of olive oil and apply it to the inflamed area three times a day.
- Chemical yeast. Baking powder helps restore the pH value in the oral cavity. Mix some baking powder with a little water and put the paste on top of the canker sores.
- Myrrh. Folk medicine uses myrrh tincture mainly against inflammation of the gums and canker sores. Put some myrrh tincture on the canker sore or rinse your mouth with it.
- Calendula. Calendula is one of the most proven medicinal plants for problems and lesions of the skin and mucous membranes. Put a few drops of calendula extract in warm water and rinse your mouth thoroughly with it. This supports the healing process and canker sores disappear faster.
- Aloe vera. The pure gel that is extracted from the aloe vera leaf provides a large number of very effective substances that are good for the skin and fight inflammation. Apply some gel on canker sores several times a day.
- Clove oil. For canker sores, but also for toothache and gum problems, clove oil is worth trying. The special thing about this oil is that its active ingredients not only disinfect and support healing, but also slightly numb and relieve pain. Simply place a drop of clove oil on a cotton swab and clean the canker sores with it.
- Salt. Rinse canker sores with a light saline solution. To do this, add a good pinch of table salt to a glass of warm water. This disinfects the damaged oral mucosa and supports its healing process.
HOW TO CURE A MOUTH SORE: MORE TIPS
Avoid irritating foods during the healing phase. These include citrus fruits, spicy spices, or foods that make a lot of crumbs.
- Maintain good oral hygiene. Brush your teeth regularly and use mouthwashes if necessary.
- Avoid alcohol and tobacco.
Home remedies are usually enough to cure individual canker sores. However, if canker sores bother you very often, appear in groups or do not heal, a visit to the doctor is recommended.
DIET TO PREVENT SORES
Ulcers or canker sores are a very common problem: we have all suffered from them at some time. It is said that they have to do with somewhat low defenses, but it is not proven either.
The truth is that there are foods that, consumed in excess, induce them. This is the case of hydrogenated fats (present mainly in margarines and bakery products), mature cheeses, sausages or sweets and sweets in general.
It is advisable to replace them with foods rich in beta-carotene or provitamin A (such as carrot juice, apricot or mango) and vitamin C (fresh fruits and vegetables in general).
If after enriching the diet with fruit and vegetable juices the situation does not improve, you can try some beta-carotene supplement. I also recommend changing sugar for honey, which has a healing action.
Licorice infusions, or better yet, mouthwashes with concentrated licorice tisane, can also help the healing of canker sores.
Rinses with astringent plants can also be performed twice a day. Boil for ten minutes about 30 g of blackberry leaves, or salicaria, in a liter of water. Let it stand for ten to fifteen more minutes and add lemon juice.
