How to Take Care of Canker Sores in Mouth

A canker sore is generally less than one centimeter wide.

If you feel a tingling sensation in your mouth accompanied by a painful red, small bump, you may have a canker sore. Canker sores are a common condition, also known as mouth ulcers, that can crop up in your mouth after dental work, or after your bite your tongue or cheek. Stress, hormone changes, and food allergies also cause canker sores. It generally takes between one and three weeks for canker sores to clear up but you can try various treatments to ease the pain and speed up the recovery process of your canker sore outbreak.

Things You'll Need

• One tablespoon salt
• Water
• Grapefruit seed extract
• Spoon
• Pain reliever
• Mouth numbing gel
• Cotton swab

Instructions

Salt Water Remedy

1. Pour 1 tablespoon of salt into 4 ounces of water.

2. Stir mixture.

3. Rinse mouth with mixture for 60 seconds at least once a day.

Grapefruit Seed Mouthwash

1. Squeeze six drops of grapefruit seed extract into 4 ounces of water.

2. Stir mixture.

3. Rinse mouth with mixture for 60 seconds at least once a day.

Store-Bought Solutions

1. Take ibuprofen or acetaminophen tablets as needed to decrease canker sore pain. Examples of ibuprofen include Advil or Motrin while Tylenol is an example of acetaminophen.

2. Squeeze a small amount of mouth-numbing gel, such as Anbesol or Orajel, onto a cotton swab.

3. Brush the cotton swab over the canker sore.

4. Refrain from eating or drinking for at least 30 minutes. This will allow the medicine to sink in to the canker sore.

Tips & Warnings

• Refrain from eating hot or spicy foods when you have a canker sore.

• Eating a diet rich in vitamin B, zinc, iron, folic acid and acidophilus can reduce canker sore outbreaks.

• Women and teenagers are most likely to develop canker sores.

• Use a hand mirror to view canker sores more easily.

• Visit your health care provider if you think you may have canker sores. Sometimes canker sores can be caused by an immune disorder or other conditions that need treatment.

References

• Medline Plus: Canker Sores
• Family Doctor: Canker Sores
• Mayo Clinic: Benzocaine
• Natural Home Remedies: Canker Sores