7 Home Treatments For Mouth Sores
Due to their anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, some home remedies, such as the ones presented here, can help relieve the discomfort of mouth sores.
Canker sores or sores in the mouth are small superficial ulcers with a whitish color and red edges that can appear anywhere on the oral mucosa, but do not appear on the outside of the mouth. However, its appearance can alert you to various situations such as:
- Injuries to the mouth.
- Poor hygiene habits.
- Weakening of the immune system.
- A high level of stress, as suggested by this study published in Advances in odontostomatology , could therefore be a cause.
Mouth sores are not contagious. However, despite the fact that they disappear on their own after a few days, it is always advisable to use some type of treatment to try to alleviate your symptoms, speed up your recovery and prevent your infection.
7 home remedies to relieve symptoms of mouth sores
Although not all of these remedies have been validated by science, according to popular wisdom they can be helpful in alleviating the symptoms of mouth sores.
1. Garlic
Garlic is a food that, due to its antiseptic and antibacterial properties, as this publication by Microbes and Infection points out , can help prevent infection from mouth sores.
To obtain its benefits, you can crush a clove of garlic and apply the paste on the sore for 2 or 3 minutes. Then rinse with plenty of water.
2. Baking soda for mouth sores
Baking soda is a very abrasive substance that applied directly to canker sores can cause intense pain and burning in the area, so it is not advisable to use it.
While it is true that it is a very popular remedy, this does not mean that it is the best or most effective option for all cases. In addition, you have to be very careful with it, even when using it as a rinse.
Baking soda can help relieve some symptoms, as this information from the Mayo Clinic points out , but to do this, instead of applying it directly, you have to dilute a tablespoon of baking soda in a glass of water and rinse for a short period of time.
3. Grapefruit seed extract
The natural extracts obtained from grapefruit seeds have antibacterial properties, as this research published in Acta Pharmeceutica points out , that could help destroy the germs that cause infections in the mouth.
In addition, these seeds are said to contain antioxidants that help heal broken skin, while reducing its inflammation and preventing the bad smell that comes out of the sore.
Add several drops of grapefruit extract to a glass of warm water and, after brushing, use it as a mouthwash. You can repeat its application up to 3 times a day.
4. Peppermint oil
Peppermint essential oil has anti-inflammatory and antiseptic actives that may help prevent mouth sore infections. Soak a cotton swab in peppermint oil and gently rub it over the sore. Repeat its use 2 or 3 times a day, as you consider necessary.
5. Hydrogen peroxide for mouth sores
Due to its disinfecting power, hydrogen peroxide can also be used as a home remedy to alleviate the discomfort of mouth sores, according to this study carried out by researchers from the University of Barcelona. Its direct use favors the recovery of the affected tissues and, incidentally, prevents bacteria from proliferating.
So, use hydrogen peroxide is like mouthwash. To do this, add a tablespoon of hydrogen peroxide to a glass of water and rinse your entire mouth well.
Another way to use it is to soak a cotton swab in hydrogen peroxide and gently pat it on the mouth sores. You can repeat its use 3 or 4 times a day.
6. Natural yogurt
There is a popular belief that the lactic acid contained in yogurt serves to regulate the pH of the mucosa of the mouth, and that, in this way, it acts by neutralizing acids, and increases the presence of healthy bacteria.
However, there is not enough scientific evidence to prove it. However, and at your own risk, you can try to consume half a glass of natural yogurt a day and apply it on the affected areas.
7. Turmeric paste
A paste made with turmeric can be an effective solution to relieve the discomfort of mouth sores. It could even be useful in other problems that affect oral health.
This root has an active substance called ‘curcumin’ which, in addition to its characteristic color, gives it anti-inflammatory and antibiotic properties, as this PPAR Research publication shows .
You can take a small amount of turmeric powder, moisten it with a little water and, after obtaining a paste, apply it on the sore. Let the turmeric paste act for 2 or 3 minutes and rinse with plenty of water.
About the mouth sores
Despite not being a serious health problem, if the mouth sores do not disappear in approximately 2 weeks, are accompanied by fever or are too frequent, it is best to go to the doctor to provide you with a proper diagnosis and treatment since, as mentioned, they could be a sign of other health problems.
