How to Eliminate Mouth Sores

Gargle with Saltwater. Dissolve 1-2 teaspoons of salt in a glass of warm water. Swish the saltwater around your mouth from side to side, then spit it out. Be sure not to swallow the saltwater.

• Do this several times a day, especially after meals and before going to bed.

Try gargling with baking soda solution. Baking soda can be used as an alternative to saltwater. Dissolve one teaspoon of baking soda in half a cup of warm water and gargle as you would with saltwater.

Use a mild mouthwash. You can rinse your mouth to remove bacteria that could worsen the ulcer and help relieve pain. Any type of mouthwash will be effective. Use it in the morning and evening, or even after lunch.

• Avoid swallowing the mouthwash.
• In some cases, antibacterial mouthwashes (including all mouthwashes) may cause or worsen mouth ulcers. If the mouthwash causes stinging or irritation, stop using it until the ulcer heals. You may also want to try alcohol-free mouthwash.

Use milk of magnesia. Purchase milk of magnesia at a pharmacy and apply a small amount gently to the ulcer multiple times a day. This product helps soothe and heal the ulcer.

Apply hydrogen peroxide to the ulcer. Mix a solution of half water and half 3% hydrogen peroxide – only a small amount is needed. Dip a cotton swab into the solution and dab it on the ulcer. First, clean the ulcer with one cotton swab, then dip a new one into the solution and hold it against the ulcer for a few seconds. Try to do this every morning and night.

• Do not swallow the solution – just wet the cotton swab slightly.

Apply honey to the ulcer. Dab a small amount of pure honey on the ulcer. Honey can help reduce pain and inflammation.

• Use a clean cotton swab to dry the painful area first, then use a fresh cotton swab to apply the honey.
• Look for Manuka honey as it has the strongest antibacterial properties. However, if Manuka honey is unavailable, any type of honey will still help fight bacteria.

Prepare a herbal mouthwash. Mix herbs such as sage or chamomile with an equal amount of water. Once the water cools to a comfortable temperature, use it to rinse your mouth. Some people find this remedy helps relieve pain from mouth ulcers, although there is limited research on its effectiveness.

• Use this mouthwash 4-6 times a day.

Drink vegetable and fruit juice. Some people find that juices from carrots, celery, and cantaloupe can help improve mouth ulcer conditions. However, this remedy has not been thoroughly researched. You can juice these vegetables and fruits individually or blend them together into a smoothie and consume daily.

Suck on ice cubes. Ice can help reduce swelling and numb the ulcer. If possible, hold an ice cube on the ulcer with your tongue until it melts.

• Store ice cubes in an insulated container or foam cup to prevent them from melting quickly, and use throughout the day.
• If the ice is too cold, at least drink cool water throughout the day. Hold the water in your mouth and gently swish it over the ulcer before swallowing.

Avoid acidic and spicy foods. Spicy, sour, and rough foods can irritate the ulcer. This will cause pain and may delay the healing process. You should opt for bland, soft foods to aid in healing the ulcer.

• Avoid carbonated drinks, citrus fruit juices, and hard foods like toast or anything spicy and salty.

Be gentle while brushing your teeth. Scrapes in the mouth caused by your toothbrush can lead to ulcers, and they will certainly make existing ulcers more painful. You need to avoid aggravating the ulcers by using a soft-bristled toothbrush and trying not to touch the ulcers.

• Use toothpaste designed for sensitive teeth, like Biotene or Sensodyne ProNamel, to brush your teeth until the ulcers heal.

Take over-the-counter pain relievers. If the mouth ulcer isn't healing as quickly as you'd like, at least you can try to alleviate the discomfort by taking over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen or using over-the-counter numbing gels. These products are available at most pharmacies.

• If you have a medical condition or are on other medications, consult your pharmacist or doctor before choosing a pain reliever.
• Do not take aspirin if you're under 16 years old. Do not give aspirin to children.

Suck on zinc lozenges. Zinc lozenges can be found at most pharmacies. While this method has not been conclusively proven to be effective, some people find that it helps reduce discomfort and promotes faster healing of mouth ulcers. Follow the instructions on the product packaging.

Try taking vitamin supplements. Vitamins B and C may help treat mouth ulcers, although more research is needed to confirm this. You can buy vitamin supplements at the pharmacy after consulting with your doctor or pharmacist. Only take them as directed.

Take lysine supplements. Lysine, an amino acid, may help treat mouth ulcers. However, more research is required to fully understand its effects. You should ask your doctor or pharmacist if there is any reason you should not take lysine.

Take echinacea (wildflower). Echinacea is a type of herb available as a supplement at pharmacies. This herb supports the immune system and can potentially accelerate the healing of sores. It's advisable to check with your doctor or pharmacist to confirm whether echinacea is safe for you to use.

See a doctor if the sores are large or severely painful. Most small mouth sores heal by themselves within 1-2 weeks. However, medical attention might be necessary if you have multiple sores, large sores, severe pain, sores that don’t heal after 3 weeks, or sores that spread, or if you have a fever. You should consult a doctor or dentist – there are several medications and treatments that can help.

• A doctor or dentist can help determine if these are mouth ulcers and rule out other conditions like dental abscesses or a rare form of oral cancer.

Ask your doctor to prescribe topical pain relief medications. Some pain relievers are available over-the-counter, while others require a prescription. It's best to ask your doctor which medication would work best for you. There are a variety of creams, gels, and liquids available that can relieve pain and help sores heal faster. Look for products containing one of the following ingredients:

• Fluocinonide (Lidex, Vanos)
• Benzocaine (Anbesol, Kank-A, Zilactin-B, Orabase)
• Hydrogen peroxide (Orajel Antiseptic Mouth Sore Rinse, Peroxyl)

Inquire about medicated mouthwashes from your doctor. If you have many sores in your mouth, a mouthwash might be more convenient than applying gel to each sore individually. Ask your doctor or pharmacist about mouthwashes containing dexamethasone or lidocaine. Both of these ingredients can help relieve pain, and dexamethasone also reduces inflammation.

Take medication as prescribed by your doctor if the sores do not heal. You may need to take medication if the sores don't heal after trying other treatments. Discuss your options with your doctor, and inform them of your medical history and any medications you're currently taking. Some medications used for other conditions may be helpful for treating persistent mouth sores, such as sucralfate (Carafate) and colchicine.

• Your doctor might prescribe oral corticosteroids if you have severe sores that won't heal. These medications have several side effects and are usually used only as a last resort. Inform your doctor if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or have an autoimmune disease, as other treatments might be more suitable for you.

Consider the cauterization method. Your doctor may burn the sores with chemicals or instruments. This method destroys damaged tissue, which can help reduce pain and speed up healing. Ask your doctor or dentist if this treatment is appropriate for you.

Take supplements to prevent recurrence. If you have a nutrient deficiency, mouth sores might reappear. Consult your doctor to see if taking supplements like folate, vitamin B-12, vitamin B-6, zinc, or other vitamins might be beneficial for you.

• Your doctor may check for nutrient deficiencies through blood tests.

• If the mouth sores are linked to another underlying condition, you will need to treat that condition to prevent recurrence.
• Mouth sores are NOT the same as cold sores (herpes simplex). Cold sores are caused by the herpes simplex virus, whereas mouth sores are not.
• You can also use a mixture of lemon juice and honey to treat mouth sores. Combine a little honey and lemon juice and apply it with a cotton swab or clean finger to the affected area. Alternatively, you can apply just lemon juice without honey. This method is highly effective and works quickly.