Salt water
Dilute 1 teaspoon of salt in 8 ounces of warm water and swish around your mouth. The salt kills bacteria that cause canker sores, and hydration helps relieve symptoms. Do not swallow! Gargle with warm water for 30 seconds, then spit out. Repeat twice a day, up to three times a day if your sore is particularly bad. You can also add one drop of tea tree oil to your solution for added relief. If you’re dealing with a chronic case of mouth ulcers, it’s best to see your doctor as soon as possible—you may have an infection or other condition that requires treatment beyond over-the-counter remedies.
Cayenne pepper paste
Cayenne pepper is a natural remedy used to treat mouth ulcers. It contains an enzyme called capsaicin that can kill off some of the bacteria that causes mouth ulcers and may help them heal faster. Cayenne is also thought to have an anti-inflammatory effect and can relieve pain in your mouth caused by mouth ulcers. Make a paste by mixing about 1/2 teaspoon of cayenne pepper with just enough water to form a thick paste. Spread on a cotton swab and place directly on your sore. Repeat several times throughout each day until your mouth ulcer heals completely. If you experience irritation, wash it off after 30 minutes.
If mouth ulcers are bothering you, there are plenty of other remedies available that don't involve chemicals or drugs—and you might find relief without any side effects at all! Consider giving these methods a try: (For more information, see our related articles What Causes Mouth Ulcers? and 10 Natural Ways to Get Rid of Mouth Ulcers.)
Clove oil
This is one of my favorite natural remedies for mouth ulcers. Not only does it numb any pain, but it also dries out blisters and speeds up healing time. It’s really inexpensive (I got mine on Amazon) and you only need a tiny bit to soothe your ulcer. Dab a few drops on a cotton swab or Q-tip and apply directly to your ulcer. You should feel relief in just minutes! I like that clove oil has been proven safe when used properly, but I wouldn’t recommend ingesting large amounts of it because it can be toxic in large quantities. A couple drops will do you good though! To learn more about using clove oil for mouth ulcers, check out The Science Behind Clove Oil .
White vinegar
Vinegar contains acetic acid, which helps kill bacteria and other pathogens in your mouth. Soak a cotton ball or clean cloth in white vinegar and dab it on your mouth ulcer. Use multiple times per day to reduce pain and inflammation. Keep in mind that some people find that vinegar irritates their sores. If you are sensitive to vinegar, try adding baking soda to make a paste instead. This can be applied up to four times daily.
The herbs cayenne pepper and lemon balm: Cayenne pepper contains capsaicin, which is thought to have anti-inflammatory properties. To use cayenne pepper as a mouth ulcer treatment, take 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne powder with one tablespoon of water three times daily until symptoms subside. Lemon balm has been used since ancient Greek and Roman times as an antiseptic agent.
Aloe vera juice
If you’re prone to canker sores, grab a bottle of aloe vera juice. Aloe vera is one of nature’s best home remedies for canker sores. Not only does it help heal existing sores, but it also helps prevent them from coming back. To use aloe vera as a mouth sore remedy, apply some of its juice directly to your canker sore. Or place some inside your mouth using a cotton swab. Apply as often as needed until your ulcer heals completely. This may take several days or even weeks (depending on how big and deep your ulcer is). If aloe vera doesn’t do much to speed up your healing time, consider switching to another remedy.
Tea tree oil
Drinking tea tree oil or gargling with it can help heal mouth ulcers quickly. This is also a great remedy if you’re dealing with pain from toothaches. Just put a few drops in your mouth, then swish it around and swallow; you could also use a clean cotton swab to apply directly to an ulcer. Remember that tea tree oil isn’t appropriate for children under 10 years old. Always consult your doctor before using any type of essential oils. You should also be aware that tea tree oil has been known to cause minor allergic reactions in some people. If you notice irritation or inflammation after applying it, discontinue use immediately. You should never consume tea tree oil—only use it topically on ulcers.
Coconut oil
Mix a tablespoon of coconut oil with lemon juice and apply to mouth ulcer. Coconut oil is naturally anti-fungal, antibacterial, and healing. For extra relief, let it sit on your mouth ulcer for 15 minutes before rinsing off with warm water. Try it at night to soothe painful mouth sores while you sleep. To make sure you get relief fast, just be sure to eat plenty of foods that are rich in zinc—it’s an essential mineral that promotes wound healing. Zinc is found in meats like pork, chicken, and beef as well as beans and legumes like chickpeas and lentils. If you have trouble eating enough zinc-rich foods or don’t want to consume them due to taste or personal preference, taking a daily multivitamin can help fill any gaps in your diet—just be sure it contains no more than 100% DV (the maximum recommended daily intake) for zinc. Taking too much zinc can actually make mouth ulcers worse by increasing white blood cell activity which causes irritation.
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