Home Remedies for Canker Sores

CEBU, Philippines - Canker sores or mouth ulcers are small, shallow ulcers that appear in the mouth, tongue, lips, or throat that are quite a discomfort when eating or even when simply talking.

There are two kinds of canker sores: simple canker sores and complex canker sores. Simple canker sores may appear three or four times a year and lasts up to a week, and typically occur in people ages 10 to 20. While complex canker sores are less common and occur more often in people who have previously had them.

There is no exact cause of these annoying mouth ulcers but there are possible causes, including injury to the mouth, acidic or spicy foods, vitamin deficiencies, hormones, stress, or autoimmune disorders.

In case of canker sores, the following home remedies from www.rd.com can be helpful in bringing fast pain relief while also making the canker sores heal:

Baking soda. It is an alkaline, and will neutralize acids that irritate the canker sore as well as help kill bacteria to help the sore heal quickly. Rinse mouth with a solution of 1 teaspoon baking soda in half cup of warm water.

Aloe. It can speed healing and offer soothing pain relief. Dry the canker sore area with a cotton swab, and then slice an aloe leaf. With a clean spoon, dab a bit of the gel directly on the sore.

Milk of magnesia. With milk of magnesia's antacid properties, it neutralizes the acids in the mouth that cause canker sore to sting. Sip a small amount and rinse mouth, making sure to rinse the canker sore itself.

Tea bags. Tea is an alkaline that neutralizes acids that irritate the sore; tea also contains compounds that may help relieve pain. Apply a damp tea bag to the canker sore for five minutes to feel some relief.

Sage. It kills bacteria and viruses, and contains compounds that reduce inflammation. Steep 2 teaspoons of dried sage in a cup of boiling water, covered. Let cool and use as a mouth rinse 2 or 3 times a day; for an effective cure, make sure to swish the tea in the area of your mouth with the canker sore.

Hydrogen peroxide. It is a strong disinfectant and will protect canker sore from becoming infected. Use it the same way with mouthwash, making sure not to swallow any of the liquid. Hydrogen peroxide and salt will both help the sore to heal.

Antacids. The pain from a canker sore is caused by acids and digestive enzymes eating into the tissue in the sore, and the tablets will neutralize the acids to help cure the sore. Check the label for dosage directions.

Salt water. Rinse mouth with salt water for 30 seconds to heal canker sore. Higher concentrations of sodium chloride draw water from surrounding tissues by osmosis, which helps heal abscesses and open wounds such as canker sores.

Vitamin E. Cut open a vitamin E capsule and squeeze a bit of the liquid onto the sore. The oil will coat the sore to help protect it from infection and helps cure it more quickly. Jannica Manlupig (FREEMAN)