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Canker sores are painful and shallow sores that occur in the mouth. They are generally red, but at times may have a white coating. Do not confuse canker sores with fever blisters that generally occur on the corners of the mouth and outside of the lips. Canker sores usually erupt on the insides of the cheeks, at the base of the gums or under the tongue. While the condition can afflict anyone, teenagers and women are more susceptible and at times are influenced by heredity. The condition is not contagious, but the exact cause is unknown. It may be triggered by poor nutrition, food allergies, stress and menstrual periods.
Canker sores are not a cause for worry and generally require no treatment. They resolve naturally, but while present can be quite painful. While there are several over the counter medications available to treat canker sores, home remedies to cure canker sores are quite effective and are the best option. Here are some remedies that you can use as cure for canker sores and treat the condition effectively:
- One home remedy recommended by some experts is a wet tea bag. Apply a wet black tea bag onto the ulcer to help relieve the pain. Black tea contains tannin, which is an astringent that is even used in some over the counter medications.
- You can clean your mouth and disinfect the sore with mouthwashes containing aloe vera, zinc, vitamin C and folate.
- Apply some alum against the canker sores. Alum contains antiseptic properties and can also act as a pain reliever.
- One way that you treat canker sores is by doing a gargle with a solution of apple cider vinegar mixed with warm water.
- Coconut milk is also used as a natural remedy for canker sores. Do a mouthwash or gargle with coconut milk until the problem resolves.
- You can also use sesame seeds to prepare an effective home remedy. Crush the seeds into a paste and apply it directly onto the canker sores.
- Fenugreek can also be used to treat canker sores. Use an infusion of the leaves to do a gargle.
- Adding a small amount of yogurt to your daily diet can help prevent eruptions, since it contains 'healthy bacteria'.
- Avoid scratchy or crisp crunchy foods like chips and brush your teeth very carefully as the slightest irritation can increase the pain significantly.
- A number of foods and spicy foods in particular act as irritants and can significantly aggravate the pain. Apart from spicy foods avoid coffee, citrus fruit, walnuts and chocolate. Also avoid foods that are hot not just in terms of spiciness, but in temperature.
- Alcohol and smoking can act as irritants for a canker sore so avoid them at least for the duration of the sores.
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