Not to be confused with cold sores (which are caused by the Herpes Simplex I virus), canker sores are small white or yellowish open sores that are ringed in red and are quite painful. They appear inside of the mouth either on the inner lips, cheeks or the gums and can last anywhere from a week or two. Fortunately, there are some very effective canker sore remedies to use next time you find yourself dealing with this painful ailment. Here’s how to get rid of canker sores fast, prevent them from reoccurring and ease the pain while they are present:
Neutralize It:
The pain that comes from canker sores is caused by the acids and digestive enzymes that are in your mouth. Once they touch the open sore, ouch! Here are a few great acid neutralizers that will take away the sting:
From the Drugstore:
Tums, Rolaids and Pepto-Bismol
These chewables are designed for heartburn and acid indigestion and for that very reason they are great for cutting some of those acids that aggravate healing canker sores. To use, put the tablet directly onto the affected area and let it dissolve there.
Mylanta and Milk of Magnesia
Try these as mouth rinses to get some temporary relief.
From Your Kitchen:
Tea Bags
You can get some relief from the pain of canker sores by applying a damp tea bag directly to the sore for 5 minutes. Why’s it work? Because tea has astringent compunds which will reduce pain and also contains alkaline properties, which will neutralize those acids.
To Seal the Sore and Dull the Pain:
Over-the-Counter Canker Sores Treatment:
Zilactin-B Canker Sore Gel and Colgate Orabase Soothe-N-Seal are two over-the-counter canker sore treatments that are designed to add a protective coating over the open sore so that the pain is dulled and the healing is hastened.
Natural Canker Sore Remedies:
Aloe Vera
As usual, the Aloe Vera plant is going to make the list. The sap of the leaves of this common and mighty plant will add a protective barrier against the acids in your mouth and bring relief while waiting for the sore to go away completely. To use this canker sore home remedy, use a Q-tip to dry the sore and then use another to dab some of the plant’s sap onto the affected area.
Vitamin E
If you keep Vitamin E capsules on hand, try this remedy next time you find yourself dealing with a canker sore: Just break open a gel capsule of vitamin E, dry the sore and then apply the vitamin E with a cotton swab.
Numb It for Instant Canker Sore Pain Relief
They won’t speed up healing, but if you want instant canker sore pain relief, take a quick trip to your local drugstore and pick up any one of these numbing treatments:
Orajel
Anbesol
Chloraseptic Spray or lozenge
Speed Up Healing
Zinc
As soon as you feel the canker sore coming on, start using 30mg of zinc lozenges daily until the sore is gone completely. Studies have shown that this remedy dramatically cuts healing time.
Lysine
Experts are divided on what the cause of canker sores really is, but many think that a deficiency of Lysine caused by stress and fatigue could be to blame. Taking 500mg of Lysine twice a day while experiencing an outbreak has been shown to reduce the time it takes to fully heal. If you are prone to canker sore outbreaks, consider adding Lysine to your daily vitamin regimen all the time.
Echinacea
Commonly used as an immune system booster, Echinacea will also speed up healing if taken as soon as you feel the sore developing. 200mg of it 2-3 times daily should do the trick.
Myrrh
A less common canker sore remedy, but an effective one no less, is Myrrh. Found in health food stores as an herbal tincture, Myrrh works because it is rich in tannins, which repairs injured skin and dries out the sore. There are a couple of ways to use this remedy:
1. Apply a full dropper to a square of cotton gauze and apply it directly to the sore. Leave it in your mouth for 10-15 minutes to get the most benefit. Repeat up to 4 times daily.
2. The above way is ideal, but if you’d prefer, add a dropper of the Myrrh tincture to a half a glass of water and use it as a mouth rinse. Swirl it around your mouth for 5-10 seconds and try to repeat the process 4 times a day until the sore is gone.
An Ounce of Prevention…
Watch What You’re Doing
Many cold sore sufferers already know this, but those tiny little cuts and scrapes inside of the mouth that are caused by not paying attention while brushing your teeth and scraping the loose part of your gums or by eating sharp edged foods, like tortilla chips, for example, can cause a canker sore to present itself. Being mindful can go a long way when it comes to canker sore prevention.
Change Toothpaste Brands
Believe it or not, the type of toothpaste you use can cause more frequent canker sore outbreaks. Nearly all drugstore toothpastes contain an ingredient called Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS). This ingredient doesn’t actually do any cleaning, but instead helps the paste to foam. Switching to a toothpaste that doesn’t contain SLS, such as some found in health food stores and brands like Biotene or Arm & Hammer Tooth Powder can keep outbreaks at bay for those who are sensitive.
Supplement Your Diet
Many experts believe that canker sores are a result of a number of vitamin and mineral deficiencies. In addition to the aforementioned Lysine, taking a Multivitamin and mineral supplement which contains Iron and another that contains B vitamins daily will help those who suffer from canker sores.
Have More Fun
For many cold sore sufferers, reducing stress also greatly reduces the number of canker sore outbreaks that they have to deal with. Add a little fun to your life by doing some activities you enjoy every day and not only will you feel less stressed and rid yourself of recurrent canker sores, but it will play an important part in disease prevention of all kinds.