Waking up to an ulcer in the mouth means your next few days may be quite troublesome. A mouth ulcer, though common in young adults, can affect almost any person. It can make eating and drinking difficult because when the food touches the ulcer, you could feel mild to severe pain.
Though most ulcers heal within a week or so, one can try simple home remedies for mouth ulcers to find some pain relief. Want to know what they are? We will tell you a little later in this article. First, let’s understand what mouth ulcers look like and why people get them.
Mouth Ulcer: What is it?
A mouth ulcer or canker sore is a round or oval sore that appears inside a person’s mouth. It can be inside the lips, somewhere on or under the tongue, on the gums, or on the inner lining of the cheeks. Mouth ulcers look red with a white or yellow centre and can be quite painful. Though they may appear scary, they do not transmit to other people and usually get better on their own.
What Causes a Mouth Ulcer?
The exact reason why people get mouth ulcers is still not clear; it is noticed that these sores appear when one damages the tongue or inside of the cheeks. Say you bite your tongue while chewing! You may get a mouth ulcer at the site of injury. Other reasons that can bring on mouth ulcers are hormonal changes, vitamin deficiencies, allergies, stress, certain medications, and diseases.
Easy Home Remedies for Mouth Ulcer Treatment at Home
Apple cider vinegar
This is a very effective remedy for mouth ulcers or canker sores. All you need to do is mix one teaspoon of apple cider vinegar in a cup of room temperature water and rinse your mouth with it. Keep the solution in your mouth for about 50 seconds and make sure it touches your ulcer. Swish well and spit the mixture before rinsing well with plain water.
Honey
Honey being an antibacterial and emollient has the power to ease painful mouth ulcers. You just have to take a small amount and apply it over your ulcer. Try not to swallow it so it can work its magic on treating the sore.
Turmeric
The next home remedy for mouth ulcers is the highly effective turmeric powder. Known for its anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, turmeric can help reduce the redness and swelling of the sore while also minimising the pain. Mix a small amount of turmeric with water or coconut oil and apply the paste to the mouth ulcer. Leave it for a few minutes and then wash it off with water.
Aloe vera
The next remedy involves the use of aloe vera for mouth ulcers. Cut a leaf from your aloe vera plant, scrape its gel, and apply it to the sore. Keep it for some time before washing it off. If you don’t have an aloe vera plant at home, you could buy aloe vera gel online or from your local store.
Coconut oil
Similar to honey, you can also reap the benefits of coconut oil for soothing your mouth ulcer. Applying a small amount to the sore can do the trick for you. It will reduce the pain and inflammation in the site and also prevent the spread of infection.
Baking soda
Baking soda can also work wonders in treating mouth ulcers at home. Make a paste by mixing the powder and a little water and apply it to the ulcer. Let it stay until the paste dries out. Then, rinse your mouth. You could even make a solution of baking powder and water and use it to swish in the mouth for a minute or so before spitting it out.
Ghee
Another old remedy for canker sores or mouth ulcers is the application of ghee. Ghee soothes the ulcer and minimises pain. To treat your mouth ulcer, apply a little ghee on the affected area and leave it undisturbed for a few minutes. You may repeat this 3-4 times daily to feel an improvement.
Mouthwashes
If you thought salt water was only for gargling, you’re wrong. You can also use it to rinse your mouth when you have a mouth ulcer. Doing this several times a day will prevent bacteria from worsening the sore and heal it faster. Besides saltwater, alcohol-free OTC mouthwashes can also be used to speed up healing.
How to Prevent Mouth Ulcers
Here are some tips to prevent mouth ulcers:
1. Chew your food slowly so you don’t bite on your tongue or cheeks.
2. Practice stress-relieving activities such as meditation and deep breathing to minimise the trigger.
3. Maintain good oral hygiene by brushing and flossing regularly.
4. If you already know, avoid foods that cause sores in your mouth.
5. Ask your doctor for supplements to fix any deficiencies that might be causing mouth ulcers.
Using a Mouth Ulcer Gel for Treatment
Besides trying the home remedies listed above, you could also use a herbal mouth ulcer gel for treatment. A herbal gel is made of herbal ingredients with anti-inflammatory properties that reduce pain and irritation and help in soothing and healing mouth ulcers.
If you wish to use a mouth ulcer gel, read the instructions given on the package carefully. Or ask your doctor or pharmacist how to use it properly. You will likely be advised to apply the gel 2-3 times a day and let it sit on the ulcer for around 30 minutes. Make sure you don’t swallow it while it is in your mouth.
When Should You Visit a Doctor
In most cases, your mouth ulcer will heal in 1-2 weeks if you diligently follow home remedies for ulcer in mouth. However, if it has been over 2 weeks and your ulcer hasn’t improved or your ulcer is large and extremely painful and none of the home remedies seem to provide relief, make a visit to your physician. Your doctor will check the sore and may prescribe prescription medications to treat your problem.
Final Thoughts
Mouth ulcers or canker sores are fairly common. However, some people get them more frequently than others. There are many reasons that lead to the formation of ulcers in the mouth. But with home remedies for mouth ulcers, you can effectively treat them to ease the pain and discomfort. For severe mouth ulcers, a quick doctor’s visit can help.
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Sources:
https://www.webmd.com/oral-health/remedies-canker-sores
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