Mouth ulcers can be painful and uncomfortable. It is difficult to eat and any food you do manage to consume will be painful. Stress and malnutrition are both factors that contribute to the appearance of these ulcers inside the mouth. Mouth ulcers can have different causes from one person to another. Mouth ulcers can be caused by:
- The body is deficient in essential minerals and vitamins (B12), zinc, iron and folate.
- As a reaction to bacterial and viral infections in the mouth.
- Foods containing acid like lemon, strawberries, pineapple or other acidic foods.
- Mouth ulcers can be caused by gluten intolerance.
- Some people can develop ulcers from mouthwash or toothpaste containing sodium lauryl Sulphate.
- Recurrent oral ulcers can be caused by autoimmune diseases and hormonal imbalances.
- Oral cancers can present as painful ulcers or non-healing lesions.
Natural Treatments for Mouth Ulcers
There are a number of drugs and medicines available on the market which can temporarily relieve the symptoms. Consult a doctor to ensure that oral ulcers are diagnosed and treated correctly. In addition to prescribed treatment, simple home remedies can help. This is a list with popular home remedies for mouth ulcers.
1. Honey
Honey is a natural product with many benefits. You may not be aware that honey can be used to treat mouth ulcers. Let the honey remain on the ulcers. You can accidentally swallow the honey you have applied because the ulcers are in the mouth. It is important to keep applying honey every few hours.
Honey is antimicrobial and can help to heal any open wounds quickly. Honey not only reduces the ulcer but also protects it from infection.
2. Saltwater Rinse
Mouth ulcers may get drier with a salt water rinse. One teaspoon ordinary household salt should be dissolved in half a cup of warm water. Swirl the mixture around your mouth for 15 to 30 seconds, then spit it out. If necessary, you can keep rinsing with salt water every few hours.
This procedure can help relieve some of the discomfort and pain that you feel during a mouth ulcer. Salt has antiseptic properties that are well-known.
3. Baking Soda Paste
Equal amounts of baking powder and water. Mix the two ingredients to form a thick paste. This paste should be applied to the ulcer in your mouth and allowed to dry. After the paste has dried, rinse with water and gargle. Three times per day should be enough.
Baking soda, or sodium bicarbonate, is a chemical compound. This compound is found in many household cleaning products. It is also one of the most effective mouth ulcer treatments, as it reduces the pain. Baking soda neutralizes acid produced by the ulcer and treats it.
4. Vera Aloe
Aloe vera has the potential to lessen mouth ulcer pain and hasten their healing. Aloe vera gel can be applied directly to mouth ulcers, or the juice can be consumed. Other oral conditions like cold sores and chapped lips can also be treated with aloe vera.
5. Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is used for a variety of purposes. Few people know that coconut oil can heal mouth ulcers. Apply a small amount of coconut oil on the ulcer’s surface and leave it there. It can be applied before going to bed at night. Coconut oil has antimicrobial properties similar to honey that can help reduce ulcers. This compound is also an analgesic and anti-inflammatory treatment for mouth ulcers. The oil helps to reduce pain from mouth ulcers.
Being antibacterial, coconut oil combats some of the dangerous oral bacterial strains. Oil pulling is an old practice of swishing a spoonful of coconut, sesame, or other edible oil in the mouth. Lauric acid in coconut oil helps with sores, and swishing it every day lowers plaque, according to a study published in the Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine.
6. Toothpaste
Did you know that toothpaste can also help with mouth ulcers? Any good toothpaste has antimicrobial properties which can help reduce the pain and swelling of mouth ulcers.
Use a Q tip to apply the toothpaste. Make sure to cover the entire area of the ulcer with toothpaste. Let the paste sit for a couple of minutes before rinsing. Continue to apply the toothpaste every day until the whiteness of the ulcer disappears. Applying toothpaste to an ulcer can be painful. Aloe vera gel can help reduce the pain.
7. Orange Juice
Oranges are a good source of Vitamin C which helps to prevent and treat mouth ulcers. It may be difficult to consume an orange when you have mouth ulcers. Drinking two glasses of orange juice daily is a great way to treat mouth ulcers.
A lack of Vitamin C can cause mouth ulcers, according to research. Vitamin C also boosts immunity, which allows the body to fight off all types of diseases and infections.
8. Eat natural yogurt
Your intestines and gastrointestinal flora will benefit from consuming a serving of yogurt that contains probiotics or bifidus. This can boost your body’s natural defenses and hasten the healing of mouth ulcers. Examine other naturally occurring probiotic foods that you can incorporate into your diet.
9. Clove Oil
Garam Masala, one of India’s most popular spice mixtures, contains clove. The flower bud is used to extract the oil. This extract can be used to treat a variety of ailments, such as toothache and ulcers. Take a piece of cotton, and apply oil directly on the ulcer. Wait until the tissue of the ulcer absorbs the oil.
Rinse your mouth out with warm water before applying the clove oil. This will help to clean the area around the ulcer. Clove has antimicrobial and eugenol properties which help with oral problems. This oil is also used to treat pain and inflammation.
Clove oil has been shown to relieve mouth discomfort, which is particularly helpful for treating severe mouth ulcers. Applying a herbal dental gel containing mostly clove oil to the affected area of the mouth effectively reduces discomfort, according to a study published in Contemporary Clinical Dentistry. At your neighborhood drugstore, clove oil is available in bottles.
10. Coconut Milk
Coconut milk can be used to gargle if you have mouth ulcers. This is one of best mouth ulcer remedies. Repeating this three to four time per day will have a soothing and pain-relieving effect.
11. Turmeric powder
Turmeric, an antiseptic used in nearly all Indian dishes. Turmeric is effective at fighting infection, but it also helps to reduce inflammation and pain caused by mouth ulcers. It also has antimicrobial qualities.
Mix some turmeric powder with water. Mix the ingredients to make a thick paste. This paste should be applied to the ulcers morning and night. Let it sit for a couple of minutes, then thoroughly rinse it away. You should notice the difference almost immediately.
12. Garlic
Garlic is a common ingredient in Indian cuisine. Garlic is not only used for flavouring curries and dals but can also be a wonderful remedy for mouth ulcers. Garlic is antimicrobial due to the Allisin compound. This helps it fight a variety of infections.
Cut a garlic clove in half, and dab the cut side on the ulcer for about a minute. Rinse your mouth thoroughly to get rid of the raw garlic smell. Repeat this process twice or thrice a day.
13. Cabbage Juice
After the cabbage is sufficiently boiled, puree it. This juice should be consumed three to four time per day in order to reap the benefits. Cabbage has anti-inflammatory properties which can help reduce pain and discomfort in the mouth.
14. Apple Cider Vinegar
Pick up a bottle at your local grocery store. Mix a tablespoon with half a glass of warm water. Rinse your mouth with this solution. Repeat this for about a minute. Rinse your mouth with water after you have done this. Repeat this morning and night until the ulcer is healed.
Apple cider vinegar is antibacterial and will kill germs that caused the ulcer. You will also recover faster.
Here are some home remedies to help improve mouth ulcers. There are different types of mouth ulcers. Each has a unique cause and treatment. Mouth ulcers that bleed can be more serious than normal ones. Test out these hacks to see if they work for you. You should consult your doctor if you don’t notice any improvement.
Understanding that the treatment of oral ulcers depends on its type and cause is essential. This is best answered by a doctor. The remedies above are popular, but they lack scientific evidence. They may not work for everyone.
15. Icing
Numbing the area helps lessen painful symptoms. Eat an ice cream cone or apply it topically to alleviate discomfort and hasten the healing of a mouth ulcer.
Avoid these foods
Avoid certain foods and drinks if you have an existing mouth ulcer to stop it from getting worse. Avoid the following foods to help heal your mouth ulcer quicker.
- Avoid acidic food like citrus fruits, pineapple, etc.
- Avoid spicy food as it can cause mouth ulcers.
- You should also avoid oily foods, as they can aggravate the ulcer.
- If you have a sore mouth, it is best to avoid drinking very hot coffee or tea.
- Most mouth ulcers will heal in 7-10 days. Once a few weeks have passed, you should be fine.
When to seek professional treatment for mouth ulcers
You should have a back-up plan, even if home remedies are effective.
- If your condition does not get better even after 5-7 days have passed
- The ulcer may have become more painful and red. This could indicate a bacterial infection that will need to be treated using antibiotics.
- You may need blood tests if the mouth ulcer is caused by inflammation or an underlying nutritional deficiency, such as folate or iron.
- If you have a mouth ulcer that does not respond well to treatment, and your doctor cannot determine the cause of your chronic mouth ulcers, he may recommend a biopsy. A sample of tissue is taken from your mouth and sent to a laboratory for analysis.
- Fever or a fever-like illness may precede or be associated with ulcers
Other signs that may indicate your mouth ulcer could be more than a simple ulcer include if it is caused by mouth cancer, such as if you are frequently drinking alcohol or if the HPV virus has been infected.
Follow the home remedies and medications prescribed by your doctor for the best results. To avoid mouth ulcers you should avoid stress, practice good oral hygiene, and eat a healthy diet.
FAQs
Q1. What are the most common causes of mouth ulcers and how can they be treated?
You can avoid causing mouth ulcers by not biting your inside cheek. Mouth ulcers can also be caused by braces, poorly fitting dentures or rough fillings. Mouth ulcers can be caused by cuts or burns that occur while eating or drinking.
Q2.What is the fastest method to eliminate mouth ulcers?
Combining salt with hydrogen peroxide can help heal mouth ulcers faster. The simplest remedies are often the most effective. Add some salt to warm tap water and swish for 30 seconds.
Q3. How long do mouth ulcers last?
Canker sores are small, painful ulcers that develop inside the mouth. These ulcers are oval in shape with a yellow or grey centre, which is surrounded by a red band. Canker sores usually last between 1-2 weeks.
