Mouth ulcers can be irritating and very painful; they are also called mouth ulcers or lesions and can develop for many different causes. They can occur in times of stress or illness; Fortunately, there are many simple remedies to try to get rid of them on your own or, if they don't heal, you need to seek medical attention.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Home Remedies
Step 1. Rinse your mouth with a saline solution
Mix one or two teaspoons of salt in a glass of warm water and let it dissolve; then rinse by moving the solution from one cheek to the other and finally spit it into the sink, you don't have to swallow it.
Repeat the treatment a few times a day, preferably after meals and before going to sleep
Step 2. Rinse with baking soda
It represents an alternative to salt; dissolve a teaspoon in 120 ml of hot water and rinse the mouth just like with the saline solution.
Step 3. Use a mild mouthwash
Flush to get rid of bacteria that cause irritation and contribute to pain from injury. for this purpose, almost all types of products are effective. Proceed in the morning and evening, but it is also recommended after lunch.
Never swallow mouthwash
Step 4. Use magnesium hydroxide
It is also known as milk of magnesia and you can find it at drugstores or major supermarkets. Dab a small amount carefully on the mouth ulcers several times a day. it should offer soothing effects and promote healing.
Step 5. Use hydrogen peroxide
Make a mixture of water and 3% hydrogen peroxide in equal parts, a small amount is really enough; use a cotton swab to dab the solution on the ulcers. First proceed to clean the area and then use another clean cotton swab holding it on the lesion for a few seconds. do the treatment in the morning and in the evening.
Do not ingest the mixture and use the minimum amount sufficient to moisten the stick
Step 6. Apply some honey
Put some on top of the ulcer, it should soothe the pain and reduce inflammation.
First, dry the area with a clean cotton swab and then use a new one to apply the honey
Step 7. Make an herbal mouthwash
Make an infusion with water and an equal amount of sage and chamomile. When the water has cooled and reached a comfortable temperature, use the mixture as a proper mouthwash; some people find it relieves pain, although not much research has been done on it.
Rinse with this solution 4-6 times a day
Step 8. Drink effective juice
Some people have found that a carrot, celery and cantaloupe juice offer benefits for oral canker sores, although no studies have been performed to confirm its actual effectiveness; you can prepare juices of each ingredient or even blend them all together and drink them every day.
Method 2 of 3: Soothe Discomfort and Promote Healing
Step 1. Suck on some pieces of ice
They can reduce swelling and numb the area by relieving pain from canker sores. If you can, use your tongue to hold the ice on the ulcer until it melts.
- Keep the cubes in a thermos or Styrofoam glass to prevent them from dissolving quickly and apply them several times throughout the day.
- If you can't stand the ice, at least try drinking cold water several times throughout the day; leave it in your mouth and try to gently move it over the lesion before swallowing it.
Step 2. Avoid acidic and spicy foods
These foods, in addition to the abrasive ones, can irritate the canker sores even more, causing pain and delaying the healing process; eat light, soft foods to facilitate healing.
Do not drink carbonated drinks, citrus juices, and do not eat hard foods, such as toast, those that are too high in salt or spicy
Step 3. Proceed carefully when brushing your teeth
Do not make the situation worse by rubbing the toothbrush on the lesions; get one with soft bristles and make sure you don't touch the ulcers.
Use a toothpaste specifically for sensitive teeth, such as Sensodyne or Elmex, until they are healed
Step 4. Take over-the-counter pain relievers
If you can't get rid of canker sores as quickly as you would like, you can at least try to relieve the discomfort. You can take medications such as ibuprofen or apply a gel that numbs the area, all of which are available at the pharmacy.
- If you have any medical condition or are already on medication for other ailments, you should consult your pharmacist or doctor before choosing any medication.
- Do not take aspirin if you are under 18, as children should never take this drug.
Step 5. Suck a balsamic candy with zinc
You can find this product at pharmacies or parapharmacies; Although there is no evidence to prove its effectiveness, some people have found that it relieves discomfort and speeds up the healing process. Follow the directions on the package regarding the dosage and method of administration.
Step 6. Take Vitamin Supplements
Those B and C stimulate the healing of mouth ulcers, although further studies are needed. You can find these supplements in pharmacies and major supermarkets, but consult your doctor or pharmacist first and take only the recommended amount.
Step 7. Take lysine supplements
It is an amino acid that can potentially promote the healing of lesions in the mouth, although there are no in-depth studies on it; ask your doctor or pharmacist if there are any contraindications in your specific case.
Step 8. Take the echinachea
It is a plant available in pharmacies, herbalists and major supermarkets also in the form of a supplement; since it acts on the immune system, it can help heal these mouth ulcers. Check with your doctor or pharmacist to find out if you can take it safely.
Method 3 of 3: Medical Treatments
Step 1. See your doctor if your injuries are large or extremely painful
Smaller ones typically heal on their own within a week or two; However, if you have several, they are very extensive, cause excruciating pain, do not heal after three weeks, develop further or you have fever, you need to seek medical attention. Go to your family doctor or dentist, both of which can offer you different medications or useful treatments.
Doctors can tell if they are actually oral ulcers or if you have developed some dental abscess or a rare form of mouth cancer
Step 2. Get a prescription for a topical pain reliever
You can take one for free, but others require a prescription. You should ask your doctor which one is best for you; There are many medications on the market in the form of paste, cream, liquid and gel that can soothe pain and promote healing of ulcers. Find a product that contains one of the following ingredients:
- Fluocinonide (Topsyn and others);
- Benzocaine;
- Hydrogen peroxide (for mouthwashes).
Step 3. Request a medicated oral rinse
If you have several mouth ulcers, this product may be more suitable than the gel to apply to each individual lesion. Ask your doctor or dentist for more information about mouthwashes that contain dexamethasone or lidocaine; both of these active ingredients relieve suffering and dexamethasone also reduces inflammation.
Step 4. Take oral medications if canker sores don't heal
If they don't go away with other treatments, eventually you have to follow a systemic cure. Talk to your doctor about the various options available, including your medical history and the medications you are taking. To treat stubborn ulcers, you can also use medications that are indicated for other conditions, such as sucralfate (Sucramal) and colchicine.
If they are severe and do not heal, doctors may also prescribe oral corticosteroids, although they have many side effects and are usually recommended as a last resort. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or have immune diseases; in these cases, other treatments should be found
Step 5. Undergo a cauterization
The doctor can proceed with an instrument or with chemicals; the intervention consists in destroying the tissues involved, thereby relieving pain and accelerating healing. Ask your doctor or dentist if it's a good solution for your specific case.
Step 6. Take supplements to prevent recurrence
If you have any food shortages, canker sores can come back. Ask the family doctor if it is appropriate to take supplements of folic acid, vitamins B-12 and B-6, zinc or other valuable substances that could prevent new lesions from forming.
Your doctor can check if you have actual nutrient deficiencies by taking a blood sample
Advice
- If oral lesions are associated with another disease, you need to address the underlying cause to prevent the ulcers from returning.
- Oral mouth Not it is the same thing as herpes simplex; the latter is caused by the herpes virus.
