Content

• To step
• Method 1 of 2: Part 1: Home remedies
• Method 2 of 2: Part 2: Professional treatments
• Tips
• What you need

Those nasty, painful mouth ulcers can develop at any time, usually during periods of stress or when you are sick. Fortunately, you can get rid of it fairly easily with the help of a number of home, garden and kitchen remedies. However, if the canker sores are very persistent, it is better to have a specialist look at it.

To step

Method 1 of 2: Part 1: Home remedies

1. Rinse with salt. Rinsing your mouth with a saline solution disinfects the drain in your mouth. It helps protect your mouth from the bacteria naturally present in your mouth and keeps it from getting worse.
   • Dissolve one or two teaspoons of salt in a glass of warm water. The exact amount isn't all that important, as long as you don't add so much salt that you can't keep the water in your mouth. If you don't have salt at home, or if you find salt dirty, you can also use a little sodium bicarbonate (baking powder).
   • Hold the saline solution in your mouth and move the mixture back and forth in your mouth.
   • Then spit it out in the sink. Don't swallow it, it can cause dehydration.
   • Repeat this a few times a day. It is best to rinse after you eat and before going to bed.
   • Put a little honey on the aft. That may hurt a bit, but it is very effective.
2. Dab the drain with hydrogen peroxide. That disinfects just like a salt rinse.
   • Mix 3% hydrogen peroxide with an equal part of water. You don't need much; a quarter cup of each is enough.
   • Dab the mixture on the aft with a cotton ball. Once you have cleaned the drain properly, you can dab a new cotton ball in the mixture and hold it for a few more seconds.
   • Do not swallow the mixture. Hydrogen peroxide is not intended for swallowing. Use just enough to get the cotton ball wet, no more.
   • Repeat this twice a day, in the morning and in the evening.
3. Saber on ice. Something cold can reduce the swelling and pain of the aft. If you can, you can hold a piece of ice with your tongue pressed to the butt.
   • Bring some ice if you can. For example in a thermos or a Styrofoam cup, so that they do not melt so quickly and you can use them all day long.
   • Drink cold water. If you find ice cubes too cold, at least drink enough cold water during the day.
4. Reduce the acidity. Some gangrene ulcers are caused by too low an acidity (pH level) in your mouth. This is how you get the right balance in your mouth:
   • Avoid acidic foods and acidic drinks. For example, do not drink carbonated drinks and do not eat citrus fruits and spicy food.
   • Take antacids. Take an antacid a few times a day, especially before meals.
   • Dab with magnesium oxide. Once or twice a day, gently dab some magnesium oxide on the drain using a cotton ball.
5. Use a mouthwash. Rinsing your mouth more often will reduce the bacteria in your mouth and in some cases also reduce the pain.
   • Use a regular mouthwash. Any mouthwash is good for this purpose. Rinse in the morning and evening and possibly also after lunch.
   • Use diphenhydramine. These types of mouthwashes, such as Benadryl, can also help relieve pain.
   • Spit it out. Never swallow mouthwashes.
6. Control the pain. If you don't get rid of that as quickly as you want, at least try to think about it as little as possible.
   • Take a pain reliever such as acetaminophen or aspirin. Do not take painkillers if you are under eighteen.
   • Use an anesthetic gel. Many pharmacies offer these types of gels for mouth or tooth pain without a prescription. Dab the gel every few hours.

Method 2 of 2: Part 2: Professional treatments

1. Go to the dentist if the affliction has not disappeared after three weeks. Most canker sores go away on their own after two or three weeks. If this is not the case for you, make an appointment with the dentist.
   • A dentist can tell if it is indeed a aft, and not an abscess in your mouth or a rare form of oral cancer.
2. Ask for a corticosteroid gel or prescription mouthwash. If it is indeed persistent, ask your dentist for information about the following prescribed treatments:
   • Fluocinonide gel (Lidex): This corticosteroid ensures that the swelling is reduced and that you have less pain. Consult with your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have an autoimmune disease. In those cases, a different treatment is more advisable.
   • A mouthwash based on chlorhexidine: This type of mouthwash is used to prevent gingivitis and is also effective against mouth ulcers.
3. Visit the dentist regularly. Good oral hygiene can prevent the canker sores from coming back. In addition to brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing once a day, go to the dentist twice a year for a check-up and to have your teeth cleaned.

Tips

• Use any brand of toothpaste for sensitive teeth. Some people are allergic to a certain ingredient in "regular" toothpaste. You may no longer have canker sores (or even cavities) if you try a different brand.
• Prevent a bigger mouth infection by treating the mouth ulcers quickly.
• Dissolve salt in warm water and rinse your mouth with it a few times a day. This kills bacteria and allows your ulcer to heal faster.
• Ask at the pharmacy for a special cream against canker sores.
• Drink lots of water and rinse your mouth carefully.

What you need

• Ice
• salt
• Baking soda
• Painkillers
• Warm water
• Wimps
• Hydrogen peroxide
• Antacids
• Honey