How to Treat canker sores or mouth ulcers

Canker sores, or mouth ulcers, are painful, noncontagious sores that can appear on the gums, tongue, palate, and inside the lips and cheeks. Canker sores may be white or gray with a red border, and may last as long as two weeks. Often, they make eating, drinking, and even talking uncomfortable. Although there is currently no cure for canker sores, there are a few things you can do to relieve discomfort and minimize reappearance.

Things You'll Need

• Salt or baking soda and lukewarm water
• Liquid Benadryl
• Maalox
• Oral pain-relieving ointment (e.g., Anbesol or Orajel)

Instructions

1. Exercise caution when brushing or flossing your teeth. Avoid chewing on pens or toothpicks, and if you wear braces, make sure your orthodontist trims wires closely. If you wear dentures or other dental appliances, make sure they fit well and are cleaned regularly. Although exactly what causes canker sores is not known, small injuries or irritations in the mouth commonly develop into mouth ulcers.

2. Watch what you eat. Highly acidic foods like citrus fruits and juices, tomato products, pineapples, strawberries, and candy or fruit snacks that are high in citric acid are common culprits. Avoid these foods when you have a canker sore, and if you find that they trigger mouth ulcers for you, minimize consumption.

3. Apply an over-the-counter pain-relieving ointment such as Anbesol or Orajel. These are especially helpful when applied before eating or brushing teeth.

4. Make a home remedy to help soothe the pain of a canker sore and promote healing. Rinse your mouth (spit—don't swallow!) with one of the following solutions after brushing:*1/2 teaspoon salt dissolved in 1 cup of lukewarm water*1 teaspoon baking soda dissolved in 3/4 cup of lukewarm water*1 teaspoon of liquid Benadryl mixed with 1 tablespoon of Maalox

5. Know when you see your dentist or doctor. Persistent, recurring mouth ulcers may be a symptom of an underlying condition such as a vitamin deficiency. If you experience mouth sores that do not heal within 3 weeks, that spread, or that are painful enough to interfere with regular eating and drinking, give your dentist or doctor a call. He may wish to prescribe a mouth rinse or ointment to treat the canker sores.

Tips & Warnings

• Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and practice good oral hygiene. If you typically use a strong mouthwash, consider diluting it with a bit of water to avoid irritating the delicate mouth tissues. Better yet, rinse with a solution of 1 teaspoon baking soda dissolved in 1 cup of lukewarm water.

• Cold sores are not the same as canker sores. Cold sores, caused by the herpes virus, are contagious, whereas canker sores are not.