Cure canker sores at home

Canker sore is a most common oral problem that a person has to experience many times in their lifetime. These small shallow ulcers appear in your mouth, on lips and throat are painful and make eating uncomfortable. Although these sores are very small the pain it gives can make you drive mad. Most of us don’t care when we get them and just do something to reduce the pain of it. But, if you are well concerned about your health you have to treat them in a proper way when you get them.

There are 02 types of canker sores. One type is simple canker sores, which are very common among people and anyone can get them time to time. Size of these sores are around 3-10 mms and heal by their own without any medication. They last in your mouth less than 10-14 days.

Other one is complex canker sores. Those are bigger than 10mms, deep and may have a thick red border. They take weeks to months to heal. These complex canker sores give you more pain than the simple ones and can lead to oral infections.

Causes of canker sores

The reason for canker sores is not exactly found. There can be few reasons for simple canker sores like certain foods (Acid foods), injury to the mouth like teeth bites on surface, allergies, certain drugs, some dental appliances, stress and autoimmune disorders. Hormonal changes occur during pregnancy can also cause canker sores. But if you get a complex canker sore, it can be a sign of many health problems like nutritional problems, iron deficiency and gastrointestinal diseases. Hence, it is very vital to meet a dentist and treat for your complex canker sores.

Home remedies for canker sores

Most of the time canker sores heal on its own and don't require any treatments. But you can follow some home remedies to speed up the healing process and to get a relief from pain.

  • Rinse your mouth with salt water is very simple and effective way to cure many oral issues. Mix 01 tea spoon of salt in ½ cup of water and rinse your mouth from that. Swish it around your mouth before spitting out. Do this twice or thrice a day until sores are disappeared.

  • Wash mouth from baking soda: Baking soda kills the bacteria in mouth and helps to heal the sore quickly. Mix one teaspoon of baking soda with a ½ cup of warm water and wash your mouth twice a day.

  • Apply honey: Honey is commonly available in any household. Applying honey in your canker sores three to four times a day around one week can give you a great relief from canker sores pain.

  • Apply turmeric paste: Turmeric is well known in aurvedha due to its anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Apply a thick paste of turmeric in your sores using a cotton bud and wash it after 15-20mins.

  • Eat Probiotic Yogurt: The friendly bacteria available in probiotic yogurts can help to heal your canker sores. Also, the cool nature prevailing in these yogurts will give you a calm and cool feeling to your mouth.

  • Use clove oil: Eugenol, the active ingredient prevailing in clove oil acts as a painkiller. You can directly apply clove oil to your canker sore or wash your mouth from clove oil.

  • Try Aloe Vera gel: Aloe Vera is known as a most effective cold sore remedy. Dry your canker sore with a cotton ball and apply aloe Vera gel directly on your sore. Repeat this until sore disappears.

  • Choose a soft toothbrush when you have canker sores in your mouth. If harsh toothbrushes contact with those sores they will become worse.

  • Don’t poke your canker sore with your tongue.
  • Make sure you get enough Vitamin B, Zinc & Iron.
  • Avoid foods like acidic foods, citrus fruits and spicy food.
  • Brush and floss your teeth daily.

Keep in mind to check your health condition and allergies to these home remedies before doing them. If you get canker sores too often it may be due to a underlying cause of a health issue. Therefore, get yourself checked up and get medications and proper nutrition. Having oysters, dairy products, whole grains, meat, white beans, spinach, sea food, fruits and vegetables can help to fulfill your nutrition requirement that helps to prevent canker sores.

When to visit a dentist?

  • If you get complex canker sores
  • Unusually large and painful sores
  • Sores that are spreading continuously
  • Canker sores accompanied with fever
  • Get recurrent mouth ulcers
  • Sores last more than three weeks
  • Difficulty in drinking fluids

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