Canker sores are both painful and annoyingly common. In fact, evidence suggests that at any given time, approximately 20 percent of individuals are living with a canker sore. The fact that canker sores can seemingly appear out of nowhere and stick around despite our best efforts only serves to make them even more frustrating.
Fortunately, however, there are a number of home remedies that have been shown to effectively combat canker sores, so if you’re one of the many individuals who has felt helpless at the hands of these painful sores, there’s hope!
Canker sores are small ulcers that occur in the mouth and can make it difficult and uncomfortable to eat and even speak in a normal fashion. To get rid of these painful nuisances, one of the first steps is to know what causes them in the first place. While there are a number of potential causes for canker sores, the following are some of the most common:
- Intake of citrus or other highly acidic foods
- Stress and anxiety
- Lip biting, over-brushing, injury, and other incidents that may cause trauma to the lip or inside of the mouth
- Spicy foods
- Smoking
Now that we’ve discussed several things that may be leading to or increasing the occurrence of your canker sores, the next step is to outline those things that you can do at home to help you resolve the problem as quickly and painlessly as possible.
If canker sores are plaguing you on a regular basis, you may be pleased to know that a remedy may be closer to home than you think. All of the following canker sore treatments consist of using items that you commonly find in your home, making these solutions both easy to implement and affordable.
#1 Apply Honey
Honey has a host of amazing properties, and has been shown to be highly effective at killing bacteria and reducing inflammation. Apply raw honey on top on your canker sore and you should experience almost immediate pain relief.
#2 Use Chamomile Teabags
Chamomile is a plant that is well known for its anti-inflammatory power. Simply soak a bag of chamomile tea in some water and apply it directly to the canker sore for between five and ten minutes.
#3 Saltwater Mouthwash
Whether it’s a sore throat or a canker sore, saltwater is great at helping to heal a variety of ailments. Combine 1 teaspoon of salt with a cup of warm water and swish the solution around in your mouth for no less than 30 seconds.
#4 Swish with an Aloe Solution
Having an aloe plant around the home is always handy, especially if you’re prone to canker sores. Break open your aloe plant and mix the contents with a little water. As with the saltwater, swish the solution within your mouth.
#5 Use a Benadryl Rinse
Another helpful remedy, use equal parts Benadryl and milk of magnesia as a rinse. Follow a similar procedure as with the saltwater and aloe.
#6 Topical Application of Tums, Pepto-Bismol, or Rolaid Tablets
Since the pain of a canker sore is caused by acid, chewing or placing one of these three tablets directly on top of the canker sore can help relieve the discomfort and facilitate faster healing.
#7 Eat More Yogurt
Yogurt contains a lot of healthy bacteria, such as acidophilus, which can help to prevent canker sores and drive them away in the event of a breakout.
#8 Change Your Toothpaste
Some toothpastes contain sodium lauryl sulfate, or SLS, a substance that has been known to contribute to canker sores. When in doubt, check the label of your toothpaste and consider switching to another type if needed.