Canker Sore Remedy
Canker sores, also known as aphthous ulcers, is a kind of ulcer that is typically found in the mouth. Canker sores appear as shallow, painful sores inside the mouth or upper throat. They may also occur on the tongue or on the inside of the cheeks and lips and the base of the gums. They may occur as single sores or in clusters.
Canker sores usually start with a tingling or burning sensation and within a few days, a red spot or bump appears. These sores sometimes have a white coating on them. Canker sores are not contagious but usually affect women and teenagers, probably owing to the hormonal changes in the body.
Some Causes of Canker Sores
Canker sores maybe a consequence of the following factors:
- stress
- food allergies
- menstruation
- hormonal disorders
- bacterial infections
- poor nutrition
Canker sores should not be confused with cold sores also known as fever blisters. Cold sores occur on the outer lip, whereas canker sores are found inside the mouth. Cold sores are highly contagious and can spread when there is close contact with the person suffering from it. Canker sores, on the other hand, are not contagious.
Types of Canker Sores
Major canker sores consist of deep ulcers with severe pain, irregular margins and often last for three to six weeks. They tend to leave scars after healing. Minor canker sores are much lesser in diameter when compared to the major ones and last for a week or ten days. Herpetiform ulcerations are canker sores that occur in women and are quite serious, requiring medical assistance. They cause clusters of lesions and take about a month to heal. Canker sore are usually recurring.
Remedies for Canker Sores
Let us look at some possible home remedies for canker sores.
1. gargle with salt and water: Prepare a home remedy by adding a teaspoon of salt to a cup of warm water. Use this mixture as a mouth wash and rinse with it for 4-6 times a day.
2. Milk of Magnesia and Benadryl Allergy liquid mixture: Mix equal amounts of Milk of Magnesia and Benadryl Allergy liquid and gargle with a teaspoonful every 4 to 6 hours to alleviate pain.
3. lozenges: Suck on zinc lozenges, vitamin C or vitamin B complex to help ease canker sore pain.
4. chamomile and sage: The healing properties of a sage and chamomile mouthwash or a lysine supplement helps canker sores heal faster. Chamomile has a soothing effect on mucous membranes (including the lining of the mouth) and sage has anti-inflammatory properties to help treat inflammations of the throat and mouth.
5. Aloe Vera juice: Rinse the mouth with Aloe Vera juice several times a day. A natural remedy, use 1-3 tablespoons of Aloe Vera juice as a mouthwash and then, swallow it.
6. baking powder in warm water: Mix a paste of baking powder and warm water and apply to the sores. This home remedy will help to reduce the bacteria.
7. yoghurt: Have a daily serving of yogurt. Active acidophilus in yogurt helps to heal and prevent the outbreak of canker sores.
8. avoiding certain foods: Avoid the following foods which may cause further irritation and pain to canker sores:
- coffee
- citrus fruits
- spicy and acidic foods
- hard foods like chips, wafers and nuts
- diary products
- salty foods
- sweet foods
- oily foods
- animal protein
9. gargling with goldenseal tea: Try herbal remedies such as goldenseal tea. To prepare the tea, add a cup of boiling water to 1-2 teaspoons of dried herb. Allow the mixture to sit for 10 minutes and then, gargle with it, 4 times daily. Goldenseal contains astringent and antiseptic chemicals that help to treat wounds and infections.
10. gargling with tea tree oil: Prepare a mouthwash of 3 drops of tea tree oil diluted in a glass of water or using a cotton swab, dab the infected area directly, twice daily, after brushing your teeth.
