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• Method 1 of 5: Treat mouth ulcers
• Method 2 of 5: Using medication to treat mouth ulcers
• Method 3 of 5: Treating sores caused by dental problems
• Method 4 of 5: Using natural remedies
• Method 5 of 5: Prevent mouth ulcers

There are many different causes of inflamed tissue in the mouth, ranging from injuries and a cold sore to gingivitis. However, there are ways to cure inflammation caused by canker sores and other conditions. There are also things you can do to reduce the pain and discomfort you are experiencing.

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Method 1 of 5: Treat mouth ulcers

1. Learn about mouth ulcers. A common cause of inflammation in the mouth is mouth ulcers. Mouth ulcers, also called mouth stomatitis, vary in size and shape and are caused by a variety of factors. They can be caused by herpes (cold sores), canker sores, fungal infections, tobacco use, medications, fungal infections, injuries and some systemic diseases.
   • See your doctor or dentist for canker sores that are painful and last more than 10 days.
2. Stay away from certain foods and drinks. Ulcers are painful and can last for five to fourteen days. Avoiding certain types of drinks and food can help heal inflammation, reduce your pain, and decrease the amount of time you experience it. To reduce irritation, avoid hot drinks and foods, as well as foods that are salty, spicy, or contain citrus juices. These can worsen the irritation of the oral tissue.
   • This also includes hot coffee and tea, spicy red peppers, foods with cayenne or chili powder, overly salty soups and broths, and fruits such as oranges and grapefruits.
3. Treat tobacco-related sores. Tobacco ulcers are called aphthous mouth ulcers, or aftershas. These irritations can be cured by using no or less tobacco products. If you continue to use tobacco products, the sores may take longer to heal and may reappear.
4. Treat fungal infections. Fungal infections of the mouth can cause thrush on the tongue (that's when the candida fungus, the fungus that causes vaginal yeast infections, appears in the mouth). Thrush can cause an inflammatory response and mouth pain. Thrush can also cause mouth ulcers. Medication from your doctor is required to cure inflammation from a fungal infection.
   • These medications can be used by otherwise healthy adults and children for 10 to 14 days, and are available in tablets, liquid, or pill form. However, children and adults with weakened immune systems need different help.
5. Treat canker sores caused by drugs. Some medications, such as those for cancer, can cause mouth ulcers. These drugs kill fast-growing cells, but don't specifically target cancer cells, which means they can also kill the cells in your mouth, which grow and multiply quickly. These spots are painful and can last for more than two weeks.
   • Ulcers from these medications may require topical pain relievers applied directly to the sore areas in the mouth. These agents can also numb your mouth, so be careful when eating or brushing your teeth after using such an agent.
6. Take care of common mouth ulcers. If you're not sure what's causing your mouth ulcers, there are some general guidelines you can follow to help relieve your pain and discomfort. In addition to the methods used to treat and prevent certain types of ulcers, you can also:
   • Layering to protect sores and minimize pain while eating and drinking
   • Avoid sharp or crunchy foods, such as chips, crackers, and pretzels.
   • Do not limit or drink alcohol, as that can irritate an already sore mouth even more. This applies to both drinking alcohol and the use of mouthwash and mouth sprays.
   • Eat smaller meals more often and cut food into smaller pieces to reduce mouth irritation.
   • Talk to your doctor about using special foam cotton swabs that reduce physical irritation if brushing is too difficult.

Method 2 of 5: Using medication to treat mouth ulcers

1. Take painkillers. Over-the-counter pain relievers can help reduce inflammation and pain from mouth ulcers. Try a pain reliever such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen. These painkillers don't necessarily help to heal ulcers, but they can help relieve the pain caused by the ulcers while healing the canker sores.
   • You can also use topical products applied topically for pain relief.
   • Follow the directions on the package for using these products in children and adults.
2. Treat sores with over-the-counter remedies. There are several types of medications that can help with mouth ulcers. Topical corticosteroid preparations such as triamcinolone paste can help treat sores on your lips or gums. Blistex offers relief from the pain of canker sores and cold sores.
   • These remedies work best when used at the first sign of a mouth ulcer.
3. Take prescription medications. If you have serious problems with your mouth ulcers, you can get medicine from your doctor to help. Your doctor can prescribe medications, such as Zovirax, that can reduce ulcer healing time by half a day. They also reduce the pain associated with the inflammatory response.
   • If you have a severe cold sore, your doctor can prescribe oral antiviral medications, which can be used to cure the herpes simplex virus stomatitis that they cause. These include medications such as acyclovir, valacyclovir, and famciclovir.

Method 3 of 5: Treating sores caused by dental problems

1. Learn about gingivitis. Gingivitis and periodontitis are irritations and infections of the gums that cause an inflammatory response and pain. Gingivitis occurs when plaque is not removed from your teeth. This increases the risk of harmful bacteria, causing the gums to become red, swollen and bleed easily. Periodontal disease can cause the gums to recede from the teeth and form spaces or pockets that become further infected.
   • Bacterial toxins and your body's natural reactions can break down the connective tissue between the gums and bone, causing inflammation and pain.
2. Get the infection under control. Treatment for the inflammation caused by gingivitis or periodontal disease depends on the severity of the inflammation. Its main goal is to control the infection causing the inflammation. Any treatment will require good daily self-care, including:
   • Floss daily
   • Brush your teeth twice a day
   • Limit the use of alcohol and mouthwash
   • Eat less sugar
3. Treat the infection. To help with the infection, your dentist will do a deep cleaning to remove any plaque, which will help reduce inflammation. You may experience less bleeding and swelling after the procedure, but you still need to maintain good oral hygiene yourself.
   • If the infection has progressed, your dentist may prescribe antibiotics to help reduce the infection, which will also reduce inflammation.
   • If medications and cleaning aren't enough, your doctor may recommend surgery to clean teeth closer to the root and help regenerate bone and connective tissue.
4. Learn about cavities. Cavities in your teeth are caused by infections that cause permanent damage to the hard surface of the teeth. Frequent snacking, drinking sugary drinks, not brushing your teeth and the natural bacteria in your mouth increase the risk of cavities. Cavities and tooth decay are one of the most common health problems in the world and affect people of all ages.
5. Treat the cavities. The inflammation and discomfort caused by cavities cannot be cured until the cavities are filled. To treat cavities, your dentist will likely give you fillings. Fillings are made from tooth-colored composite resins, porcelain or silver amalgam.
   • Silver amalgam fillings contain mercury, but are considered safe by doctors. However, if you have an allergy to one of the components of an amalgam filling (silver, tin, copper or mercury), this can cause mouth injuries. Tell your dentist about any allergies you have.
   • If your tooth decay is advanced, you may need crowns. These are custom caps that cover the top of the teeth. Root canal treatment may also be necessary to repair or save a damaged or infected tooth, rather than removing it.
   • If the tooth is too damaged, it may be necessary to pull the tooth. If you need to have the tooth extracted, you may need a bridge or replacement tooth to keep your other teeth from moving.
6. Take care of your teeth by getting braces. Braces are used by orthodontists to straighten or correct teeth. Braces are made up of many parts and in many cases put stress on the mouth, and the braces and hooks can cause canker sores in your mouth. As a treatment, rinse your mouth with warm saline solution several times a day to reduce inflammation and speed healing. Also try the following:
   • Eat soft foods to reduce tissue irritation
   • Avoid spicy foods, alcohol, mouthwash, and foods with sharp points such as chips and crackers.
   • Make a paste of baking powder and water and apply this over the aft.

Method 4 of 5: Using natural remedies

1. Drinking water. Extra fluid in your body can help with mouth infections, especially mouth ulcers. This will help relieve the discomfort of the inflammation and fight the infection. You can also reduce the pain with a saline solution to speed up healing in your mouth.
   • To make the saline solution, put a generous amount of salt in 250 ml of warm water and stir to mix. Rinse your mouth with it, focusing on where it hurts. After a minute or so, spit out the water and repeat with the rest of the water.
2. Use aloe vera. Aloe has natural healing and anti-inflammatory properties. It contains saponin, a chemical that acts as an antibacterial. It also has a soothing and analgesic effect on inflamed areas. Use this as follows:
   • Take an aloe leaf and cut it open. Apply the leaking gel directly to the area that is most inflamed. Do this three times a day for the best effect.
   • You can also get aloe vera gel that is specially made for your mouth. Reapply the gel directly to the inflamed area. Do this three times a day for the best effect.
   • Make sure you swallow as little gel as possible.
3. Suck on an ice cube. Cold water and ice can help relieve pain and reduce inflammation in your mouth. It's the same concept behind a cold compress on a sore knee, because the cold temperature reduces the amount of blood cells flowing to the injured area to reduce swelling and pain. Ways to apply cold to your inflamed mouth include:
   • Suck on an ice cube, popsicle or sorbet
   • Drinking and gargling small sips of cold water
   • Put ice cubes in a plastic bag and keep it on the inflamed area
4. Use tea tree. Tea tree oil has a natural antiseptic effect that helps kill bacteria. It can also help control the infection and promote the healing process. This is especially helpful in inflammation caused by gingivitis and periodontal disease. One of the most common ways to use tea tree oil for inflammation is as a mouthwash.
   • Make a mouthwash by adding 10 drops of oil to 80ml of water. Rinse your mouth with this mouthwash for 30 seconds and then spit it out. Do not swallow the mouthwash. Then rinse your mouth with clean water.

Method 5 of 5: Prevent mouth ulcers

1. Prevent cold sores. Cold sores need arginine to develop. Arginine is an amino acid in foods such as walnuts, chocolate, sesame seeds and soy. To prevent additional ulcer development, avoid these foods. Instead, eat foods with the amino acid lysine, which counteracts arginine's influence on cold sores. Foods high in lysine content include red meat, pork, poultry, cheeses, eggs and brewer's yeast. Note the ratio of lysine to arginine to help prevent more cold sores from forming.
   • You can also take an oral lysine supplement daily. The dosage will depend on several factors, so talk to your doctor about your intention first.
2. Inhibit fungal infections. You can help prevent fungal infections by brushing your teeth twice a day, flossing once a day, using less or no mouthwash, and not sharing eating utensils that could pass the infection on. If you have diabetes or wear dentures, pay close attention to your oral hygiene as these are possible causes of a fungal infection.
   • Limit foods with a lot of sugar or yeast. Yeast needs sugar to multiply and grow. Foods with yeast are bread, beer and wine, so they can stimulate the growth of yeast.
3. Get medical help. There are situations where your mouth pain is more than a cold sore or cold sore. If these ulcers are persistent, they could be cancer, an uncontrollable growth of cells that invade other areas and damage surrounding tissue. Oral cancer can occur on the tongue, lips, floor of the mouth, cheek, and the hard and soft roof of the mouth. This is life-threatening if it is not studied and left untreated.
   • Look for a lump or thickening of tissue in the mouth, a non-healing sore, a white or reddish patch in the mouth, tongue pain, loose teeth, difficulty chewing, jaw pain, sore throat, and feeling like something is inside your throat is stuck.
   • Treatments to cure this type of inflammation require immediate medical attention. Treatment can consist of surgery, chemotherapy and radiation.