Say Goodbye to Canker Sores: Quick and Easy Solutions

Introduction

Hi everyone, my name is Whitney and I am a dental hygienist. If you’re new here, welcome. If you’ve been here before, welcome back. Today we’re going to talk about canker sores and how to get rid of them. To learn more about dental topics, check out my website, teethtalkgirl.com, or my Instagram account, teeth talk girl.

What are Canker Sores?

Canker sores, also known as aphthous ulcers, are painful round, crater-looking lesions that form inside of your mouth. Although temporary, they can be quite uncomfortable.

Causes of Canker Sores

There are a variety of reasons why someone might get canker sores. Some common causes include:

• Stress
• Braces
• Trauma (e.g. from a slip of a toothbrush or biting onto a sharp chip)
• Acidic foods and drinks
• Allergies
• Nutrient deficiencies
• Hormonal changes
• Celiac disease or Crohn’s disease

Treatment Options

Here are 20 different things that you can try to combat a canker sore:

1. Use an over-the-counter gel topical oral pain reliever, such as Aura gel.
2. Use a pain-relieving mouth rinse or mouthwash, as prescribed by your dentist. These are usually called miracle mouthwash or magic mouthwash. Avoid over-the-counter mouthwashes that contain alcohol.
3. Use a hydrogen peroxide rinse. Although not recommended for everyday use, it can be beneficial for treating canker sores. Be sure to dilute it with water, using a one-to-one peroxide to water ratio.
4. Use a salt rinse. Warm up some water, add salt and stir, then swish it around in your mouth. You can safely use the salt rinse two to three times per day.
5. Practice good oral hygiene. Overzealous brushing and flossing can irritate areas inside of your mouth, causing irritation that can lead to an ulcer. On the other hand, not keeping your mouth clean enough can also raise your risk of infections where ulcers develop as a side effect.
6. Take vitamin B12 supplements. People who are deficient in vitamin B12 may be more prone to developing canker sores.
7. Drink chamomile tea. Chamomile tea is known for easing swelling and inflammation, including the discomfort of oral ulcers.
8. Use chamomile compresses. Instead of drinking chamomile tea, you can also use dried chamomile or essential oil from the chamomile plant to create a safe compress.
9. Use honey. Honey has been scientifically proven to help relieve oral mucosal ulcers when applied to the sore. It can also shorten the length of time it takes for your ulcer to heal, however, be careful because it can also lead to cavities if it’s sitting on your teeth for too long.
10. Use coconut oil. Oil pulling has been around for a while, and some people swear by it, even though there isn’t scientific evidence to back it up. However, it won’t hurt to try, just please understand that oil pulling does not replace brushing and flossing.
11. Avoid eating very spicy, salty, or acidic foods. Some people tend to get mouth ulcers simply by eating something acidic.
12. Try a cold compress. Cold compresses can help reduce inflammation and numb the pain associated with canker.

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