Mouth ulcers, also known as canker sores, are a common nuisance that can make eating, drinking, and even talking uncomfortable. While they typically heal on their own within a week or two, finding ways to speed up the healing process and alleviate pain is a top priority for anyone experiencing these bothersome sores. Fortunately, there are several natural and effective methods to help you manage mouth ulcers and get back to feeling your best faster.
Understanding Mouth Ulcers
Mouth ulcers are small, painful lesions that develop on the soft tissues inside your mouth. They can appear on your cheeks, lips, or even your tongue. It’s important to distinguish them from cold sores, which are caused by the herpes simplex virus and typically occur on the outside of the mouth. Mouth ulcers, on the other hand, are not contagious.
Natural Home Remedies for Fast Relief
While there’s no magic cure to eliminate mouth ulcers instantly, several home remedies can significantly reduce discomfort, promote faster healing, and prevent recurrence. Focusing on gentle oral care and avoiding irritants is key to managing these sores naturally.
Gentle Oral Care Practices
Adopting a gentle approach to oral hygiene is crucial when you have mouth ulcers. This involves several simple adjustments to your daily routine:
- Use a soft-bristled toothbrush: A soft brush will minimize irritation to the sensitive ulcerated areas.
- Drink cool drinks through a straw: Using a straw can help direct liquids away from the ulcers, reducing pain, especially when consuming slightly acidic drinks.
- Eat softer foods: Opt for foods that are easy to chew and swallow, minimizing friction against the ulcers.
- Get regular dental check-ups: Maintaining good oral hygiene through regular dental visits can help prevent various oral health issues, including mouth ulcers in the long run.
- Eat a healthy, balanced diet: A nutrient-rich diet supports overall health and can contribute to the body’s natural healing processes.
Foods and Drinks to Avoid
Certain foods and drinks can exacerbate mouth ulcer pain and hinder healing. It’s best to avoid the following:
- Very spicy, salty, or acidic food: These can irritate the ulcer and intensify the burning sensation.
- Rough, crunchy food, such as toast or crisps: These can scrape against the ulcer and cause further pain and irritation.
- Very hot or acidic drinks, such as fruit juice: High temperatures and acidity can aggravate mouth ulcers.
- Toothpaste containing sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS): SLS is a common foaming agent in toothpaste that can irritate sensitive mouths and may contribute to mouth ulcer development in some individuals. Consider switching to an SLS-free toothpaste.
Salt Water Rinse – The Classic Remedy
A salt water rinse is a time-tested and effective home remedy for mouth ulcers. It helps to cleanse the area, reduce inflammation, and promote healing. Here’s how to use it:
- Dissolve half a teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water: Warm water helps the salt dissolve more easily.
- Rinse your mouth with the solution, then spit it out: Ensure you swish the salt water gently around your mouth, reaching all ulcerated areas. Do not swallow the salt water.
- Repeat as often as you like: Rinsing several times a day, especially after meals, can provide significant relief.
Over-the-Counter (OTC) Treatments from a Pharmacist
For more targeted relief, a pharmacist can recommend various over-the-counter treatments to alleviate pain, prevent infection, and potentially speed up healing. These options include:
- Antimicrobial mouthwash: Helps to keep the ulcer clean and prevent secondary bacterial infections.
- Painkilling tablet, mouthwash, gel, or spray: Topical or oral pain relievers can provide temporary relief from ulcer pain, making it easier to eat and drink.
- Corticosteroid lozenges: These can help reduce inflammation and pain associated with mouth ulcers.
- Saline mouthwash: Pre-made saline mouthwash offers the benefits of a salt water rinse in a convenient format.
When to Seek Professional Medical Advice
While most mouth ulcers are harmless and resolve on their own, it’s important to know when to seek advice from a dentist or GP. Consult a healthcare professional if your mouth ulcer:
- Lasts longer than 3 weeks: Persistent ulcers may indicate an underlying issue that requires medical attention.
- Is different from other mouth ulcers you’ve had before: Changes in size, location (especially near the back of your throat), or appearance should be checked by a professional.
- Bleeds or becomes more painful and red: These could be signs of an infection that needs treatment.
- Is a long-lasting ulcer: In rare cases, a persistent mouth ulcer can be a symptom of mouth cancer, highlighting the importance of getting it checked.
- Is accompanied by other symptoms: If you experience ulcers elsewhere on your body (skin or genitals) or have painful, red, or swollen joints, consult a GP as these could indicate a systemic condition.
Medical Treatments from a Doctor or Dentist
For severe, persistent, or infected mouth ulcers, a GP or dentist may prescribe stronger medications. These treatments might include:
- Steroids: Available as mouth sprays, dissolving tablets, or tablets to dissolve in water, steroids can effectively reduce inflammation and pain in severe cases.
- Painkilling gels, ointments, sprays, or tablets: Stronger pain relief options can be prescribed to manage intense ulcer pain.
- Mouthwashes to kill or remove any germs in your mouth: Prescription-strength antiseptic mouthwashes can be used to treat or prevent infections.
Common Causes of Mouth Ulcers
Understanding the causes of mouth ulcers can help you take preventative measures. Many single mouth ulcers are triggered by avoidable factors such as:
- Biting the inside of your cheek: Accidental bites are a frequent cause of ulcers.
- Badly fitting dentures, braces, rough fillings, or a sharp tooth: These can create friction and irritation in the mouth.
- Cuts or burns while eating or drinking: Hard foods or hot drinks can sometimes injure the delicate oral tissues.
- Food intolerance or allergy: Certain foods can trigger mouth ulcers in susceptible individuals.
- Damaging your gums with a toothbrush or irritating toothpaste: Overly aggressive brushing or irritating toothpaste ingredients can contribute to ulcer development.
- Feeling tired, stressed, or anxious: Stress and fatigue can weaken the immune system and increase susceptibility to mouth ulcers.
Some triggers are less controllable, including:
- Hormonal changes: Fluctuations during menstruation or pregnancy can sometimes lead to mouth ulcers.
- Genetics: A family history of mouth ulcers can increase your likelihood of experiencing them.
- Vitamin deficiencies: Lack of certain vitamins and minerals like iron, zinc, folic acid, vitamin B, or vitamin D can be a contributing factor.
- Medicines: Some medications, including certain NSAIDs, beta blockers, or nicorandil, can have mouth ulcers as a side effect.
- Stopping smoking: Mouth ulcers can sometimes occur when people first quit smoking, though the long-term health benefits of quitting far outweigh this temporary issue.
If you experience multiple mouth ulcers simultaneously, it could be a symptom of an underlying medical condition, warranting a consultation with a healthcare professional.
Conclusion
Mouth ulcers are a common and usually self-limiting condition. By adopting gentle oral care practices, utilizing natural remedies like salt water rinses, and avoiding irritants, you can effectively manage symptoms and promote faster healing. While over-the-counter treatments from a pharmacist can offer additional relief, it’s crucial to seek professional medical advice for persistent, unusual, or concerning mouth ulcers to rule out any underlying health issues and receive appropriate care.
