Mouth ulcers are not only annoying but also painful. They cause extreme discomfort, making people unable to eat properly. These painful sores are usually white with a red border. They can pop up at any time and be caused by a single factor, or a combination of two or more factors. Mouth ulcers can be found on the inner lips, tongue, gums, or anywhere inside the mouth. If you suffer from a mouth ulcer, you will look for remedies to get rid of it. Here are some effective home remedies for mouth ulcers.
Before we start discussing the remedies, let's look at the causes of mouth ulcers, based on which you can decide the method of treatment.
The Main Causes of Mouth Ulcers
It's not easy to pinpoint the exact cause of mouth ulcers. However, we have compiled a list of the usual causes here. So take a look!
Wearing braces can also cause mouth ulcers in some people. Now that you are aware of the possible reasons behind mouth ulcers, let's discuss some simple home remedies for mouth ulcers.
20 Home Remedies for Mouth Ulcers
Traditional home remedies are better than complicated medicines because they don't cause too many side effects. Plus, home remedies are natural and can conveniently be prepared. Shall we look at them one by one?
1. Salt Water
Salt is well-known for its antiseptic properties, so it can be used to treat mouth ulcers. Follow the steps below to use salt to get rid of mouth ulcers.
- Take some lukewarm water and mix a tablespoon of salt in it.
- Gargle using this salt water.
- If the ulcer is somewhere in the front part of the mouth, try holding the saltwater in that area for a few minutes. After you spit it out, rinse or gargle using plain water.
- Repeat this process 5-10 times.
Using salt water is a simple way to treat mouth ulcers without side effects. It can help soothe the pain you experience because of the ulcer.
2. Cabbage Juice
Did you know that cabbage juice has anti-inflammatory characteristics? It can help you take solid foods more easily by reducing the discomfort caused by mouth ulcers.
- Take a raw cabbage and boil it.
- Once it is fully boiled, puree it.
- Consume the juice 4-5 times a day.
- Say goodbye to mouth ulcers in a few days!
Apply yogurt to the affected area of your mouth. In addition to soothing the mouth, yogurt helps combat the bacteria causing the painful sores. You can also add yogurt to your diet so that it acts on the ulcer from within. Thus, yogurt is one of the best home remedies for mouth ulcers.
4. Basil Leaves
Basil leaves also possess anti-inflammatory properties and can be used to treat mouth ulcers. Just crush a few basil leaves and make a paste out of it by adding water. Apply the paste to the affected area of your mouth. You can even chew the basil leaves such that they rub against the ulcerous sore.
5. Turmeric Powder
The medicinal properties of turmeric have been used to treat several health conditions over hundreds of years. Turmeric possesses antiseptic and antibacterial properties that can act against sore ulcers in your mouth.
- Get some turmeric powder and mix it with water to form a paste.
- Apply the paste to the affected area in your mouth.
- Let the paste remain in the area for a few minutes.
- Rinse it off with water.
- Keep repeating the process each morning and evening until you get relief from the ulcer.
You can see the effect of turmeric within a few days!
6. Aloe Vera Gel
Here's another one of the home remedies for mouth ulcers. Using aloe vera gel is an excellent way to treat it. Apply the gel to the sore area in the mouth at least thrice a day. You will soon see the ulcer vanish into thin air!
Make sure you are not sensitive to aloe vera. If you are, it's best to avoid using it.
7. Coconut Milk
Chilled coconut milk is said to soothe mouth ulcers effectively. Applying a tablespoon of coconut milk mixed with a little honey to the ulcerous area in your mouth offers some relief. Gargling with coconut milk also eases the pain caused by the ulcer.
Since ancient times, honey has been used to treat various types of wounds. It has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory characteristics, which are essential for the proper treatment of mouth ulcers. Some researches show that honey can also be used to treat canker sores, also known as aphthous ulcers. They are yellowish or whitish sores that are seen on the lining of the mouth. They are very tiny and have red borders.
They are some of the best home remedies for mouth ulcers. These can numb the pain caused by mouth sores. You can just keep chewing on a clove bud while working or doing chores around the house. Directing the juice from the clove bud to the area where the ulcer is located can help ease the pain significantly.
10. Essential Oils
You can use essential oils , such as peppermint oil or tea tree oil, to combat mouth sores. However, make sure you dilute the essential oil with coconut, almond, or olive oil. Keep applying the diluted oil to the ulcerous area in your mouth 3-4 times a day.
Warning: Never consume essential oils because they can cause poisoning.
Garlic is well-known for its medicinal properties, which can effectively be used to treat mouth ulcers. The compound called "Allicin" gives garlic its antimicrobial properties. So garlic can combat a wide range of infections, including ulcerous mouth sores.
- Take a garlic clove and cut it into two halves.
- Dab one-half of the clove on the ulcerous spot for a few minutes.
- Ensure that you rinse your mouth to avoid the garlic odor in your breath.
- Repeat the process twice or thrice a day.
12. Fenugreek Seeds
Fenugreek seeds have amazing medicinal value, and they are known to reduce blood sugar levels in diabetics. And, yes! They can also treat mouth ulcers! Take some of these seeds and boil them in water. After straining the juice, gargle your mouth with it. Fenugreek seeds act as an awesome remedy for mouth sores.
13. Baking Soda
Sodium bicarbonate, commonly known as baking soda, is one of the most powerful home remedies for mouth ulcers. It can ease the pain caused by mouth ulcers. It's readily available in your kitchen too! Just mix some baking soda with water to make a paste. Apply this to the affected area and let it dry. Once done, wash your mouth.
14. Coriander Leaves
It is one of the cost-effective ways to combat mouth ulcers. Take a few coriander leaves, clean them, and then boil them in water. Now, gargle your mouth with the resulting juice to heal your ulcerous sore.
15. Apple Cider Vinegar
It has antibacterial properties that kill the germs causing mouth sores. Mix apple cider vinegar with warm water (half a cup). Rinse your mouth using this solution. After repeating it twice or thrice, rinse with plain water. Do this both morning and evening until the ulcer goes away.
16. Hot and Cold Water
Yes! You can use water to get rid of ulcers in your mouth. Gargle your mouth with hot and then cold water alternately. This can reduce the inflammation and help the ulcer heal faster!
17. Chamomile Tea
It is one of the helpful home remedies for mouth ulcers, which can ease pain by calming you. Brew a chamomile tea bag in boiling water and let it cool down. Swirl it in the mouth for about 30 seconds. Repeat this a few times every day, and you will see the ulcer going away!
18. Ice Cubes
These can cause a numbing sensation in the ulcerous area, resulting in reduced pain. Take some cubes, wrap them in a paper towel, and place them on the ulcerous sore. Though this is a temporary solution, it works wonders to bring down the pain or irritation.
19. Black Tea Bag
It contains tannin, which has pain-relieving characteristics. So, place a wet black tea bag on the mouth sore/ulcer. Keep it that way for a few minutes. If you repeat this process every day, you will notice the differences in the ulcer, until it eventually goes away.
Sage is an aromatic plant from which you can pluck the leaves to treat your ulcer. You can create a mouth rinse using the dried sage leaves and use it to bring down the intensity of the ulcer. Sage can kill the viruses and bacteria in the mouth.
Maintain Oral Hygiene to Prevent Mouth Ulcers
Prevention is always better than cure! The best way to prevent mouth ulcers is by maintaining proper oral hygiene. Brush twice a day and rinse your mouth after every meal to avoid mouth ulcers and sores on your gums . However, sometimes, they cannot be prevented, so you need to use one of the home remedies for mouth ulcers we have discussed. If the ulcerous sore persists for many days, you must consult your doctor/healthcare provider to check it because it could be a sign of another underlying condition.
Ashley completed her degree with nutrition as her major. She loves sharing her knowledge with others and playing with words. After struggling for almost a year to find a job that could make her feel lively, she ended up as a freelance writer. Ashley writes health-related blogs and articles. She makes sure that her works always stand unique and are useful for everyone. Ashley is also a YouTuber who shares health-related videos. She knows the value of the right information and how it can be beneficial to others. Therefore, her only motto is to provide accurate information. If Ashley sounds like that neighbor who you can ask for health tips, take a look at her works.
