What is a canker sore? It is a sore that is shallow and is a type of ulcer that is found in the mouth, usually on the tongue, lip, cheek or gums. You will see it as red around the outer edge with the center being white or yellow. This is a painful condition that can make eating and speaking difficult. Sometimes, it is possible have multiple sores.
Keep in mind that canker sores are not the same as cold sores, also known as fever blisters. These are contagious but canker sores are not. They are inside the mouth whereas cold sores are external on the lips.
Are Canker Sores Contagious?
If you’re wondering if they can be transferred from one person to another, the answer is no. They are not contagious and cannot be given to others. Cold sores, however, can be transmitted from one person to another.
This type of outbreak can happen to anyone, but there are groups of people who may be more susceptible, such as women and teenagers. Everyone has had one at one point or another and some get them more than others.
What Causes Canker Sores?
The actual cause of this condition is not known, but there are several factors that can influence getting them. Many people get them when they are tired or have a high level of stress. Women are more susceptible because of their monthly menstruation and teens during puberty. Accidentally biting the inside of the mouth is another common reason why the sores may appear and also, braces can cause them. One of the most common reasons canker sores appear is because of the food you eat. If you have allergies to foods or eat fried foods, you may get sores frequently if you don’t avoid what bothers you. Foods that are high in acid can also affect your mouth and bring about lesions. Oranges and lemons are good examples of acidic foods. Before you can figure out how to get rid of canker sores, the root cause needs to be determined.
Canker Sores Symptoms
Some of the symptoms of canker sores include a burning sensation or tingling in the mouth that may be accompanied by swelling and pain. Eating may be painful and talking can be difficult, especially if the area of the canker sore is swollen. The pain and symptoms can last anywhere from one week to ten days, but depending on how large they are, it may take longer. This condition does not scar, but it is very uncomfortable.
Treatments for Sores
A doctor appointment or visit is not needed if you have a canker sore. There are home remedies you can use to decrease the discomfort of this condition. It is not life-threatening or serious.
Preventing Canker Sores and Pain Control
There are easy steps you can take for canker sores on lips or other parts of the mouth, especially if you know what caused them to begin with. If you don’t, then prevention may be more difficult until you get to the root cause of the problem.
Eating foods that are soft and do not have much spice is recommended, especially foods such as soup and yogurt that does not have whole fruit mixed in. Consuming smaller pieces of your meal may make it easier to eat and swallow. Mashing your food or pureeing it is another option that will work well. Because of the discomfort that spices can cause when they touch the affected area, try to avoid spicy meals as well as hot beverages such as coffee, tea and hot chocolate. Also avoid salty and fried foods. The consumption of cold liquids is a good idea since they can numb the pain. They don’t have to be straight from the refrigerator, since ice will work in them, too.
If the pain from the canker sores is difficult to manage, over-the-counter pain killers such as aspirin or an NSAID can be taken to alleviate the pain you feel. No, this is not a cure, but it will make the pain level lower for physical comfort.
Also, your diet should include foods that are high in nutritional value and contain important vitamins such as Vitamin B 12, Folic Acid, Iron, Zinc, among others for how to get rid of canker sores.
Home Remedies for Canker Sores
Aloe Vera
Aloe Vera has many benefits for a person’s health and skin. By using it on canker sores, you can reduce inflammation and kill the bacteria in the mouth that can cause ailments such as this. Healing will occur faster and Aloe can decrease the pain that is a common symptom of sores. You will need aloe vera leaf (fresh) to squeeze the gel out of. Once you have extracted the gel, simply put it on the canker sore a few times daily. Another option is to gargle with the juice of aloe vera a few times a day. Over-the-counter gels will also work.
Baking Soda
This one item can effectively treat canker sores and other mouth ailments. Acidity is neutralized and can decrease the pain associated with this ailment and others as well as decrease inflammation. One method to use the home remedy for canker sores is to add two teaspoons of it to a cup of water and gargle with it. Get rid of the mixture after gargling and do this a few times daily. You can also make a paste of baking soda and water to be applied directly on the sore. It does not taste good but it is very effective.
Cayenne Pepper
The capsaicin in cayenne pepper offers a numbing effect for the pain that comes along with canker sores. The nerves are numbed and this provides comfort. This may sting, but this remedy is effective for reducing inflammation and alleviating pain. The home remedy for canker sores should be used twice a day until the sore disappears. An alternative is to consume candy that has this as an ingredient.
Coriander for Canker Sores
Coriander leaves are a popular home remedy for how to get rid of canker sores. The leaves of the plant can reduce inflammation, work as an antiseptic and they can fight fungal infections. With these features, canker sore symptoms are decreased.
To use this remedy, boil coriander leaves in water, approximately 1 glass. Strain the water out to remove the leaves and then let the water cool down to a comfortable temperature. Use the solution to gargle with for a minute three times each day. You can also boil coriander seeds (1 tsp.) in a cup of water, and then let them soak. Remove the seeds from the liquid using a strainer but save the water in another glass or cup. Follow with the same method of gargling.
Honey
Applying honey on a canker sore can kill bacteria and also work as an antiseptic. In addition, swelling around the sore can be reduced and the pain eased. You will need 1 tsp. of honey to apply. The application of honey for how to get rid of canker sores will likely sting or burn, but the method is very effective. Use this remedy two times each day until the canker sore is gone or until the symptoms have subsided.
Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide is an antiseptic and can eliminate bacteria in a person’s mouth. The type of peroxide you buy must be 3% and can be found at most pharmacies or health and beauty departments of many stores. You’ll need one glass of water and a tablespoon of the hydrogen peroxide to gargle with. It is important to be careful and not ingest any of this solution. This should be performed up to 5 times each day.
Onions
Using onions and the juice, you can reduce inflammation and pain caused by cancer sores. It can also eliminate bacteria in the mouth. The sulfur in onions works well for this purpose. Take an onion and cut it into pieces. Put the onion piece on the canker sore so the juice can be absorbed into it. This should be done several times a day. You can also use an onion paste to be applied directly on the sore. For prevention, you can eat onion every day, but it won’t be pleasant. If you don’t like onion, eat it with other foods, but it should be in raw form.
Sage
Sage helps get rid of swelling and pain that are common symptoms of this ailment. To use this remedy for how to get rid of canker sores, take three teaspoons of the leaves of the plant and let them soak in 2 cups of hot water. This should stand for at least 10 minutes and then let it cool. Use this solution to gargle with a maximum of four times each day. You can also make a paste from the leaves and apply this on the sore.
Salt for How to Get Rid of Canker Sores
Salt will remove the fluid that is usually present in a canker sore and this will make healing faster. The bacteria are neutralized so this will also help heal faster. To use this remedy, just mix warm water with a teaspoon of salt. Then gargle with it for a minimum of thirty seconds. It will sting a bit, but this is a great disinfectant. Get rid of the salt water after gargling. You can also put the salt directly on the sore after gargling. Keep doing this several times daily.
Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil is used for many different ailments because it can fight bacteria and it is an antiseptic. The ability it has to disinfect makes it a perfect treatment for how to get rid of canker sores. You’ll need ten drops of it mixed in with one glass of water. Gargle with this solution up to four times daily. Another method is to dilute it in water and then apply it to the canker sore.