Effective Home Remedies for Canker Sores

Tuesday - September 20th, 2016

Almost everyone has had a canker sore at some point. They’re the pesky little sores that appear in the soft tissue of the mouth and at the base of the gums, making eating and talking uncomfortable. Although the exact cause is unknown, it is believed that stress and certain foods could be the culprit.

While most canker sores go away after week or so, you can still put up a fight for faster healing and relief:

Antacids: Try rinsing your mouth with 1 teaspoon of baking soda in 1/2 cup of warm water. Baking soda is alkaline and will help to neutralize that acids in can irritate canker sores. You can also try milk of magnesia, which is also an antacid. Use it as a mouth rinse or dab it directly on the sore.
Antibacterial ingredients: Make a tea with dried sage. Sage kills bacteria and can also reduce inflammation. Swish the tea around in your mouth 2-3 times a day. Another good disinfectant is hydrogen peroxide. Use it the same as mouthwash, just be sure to not swallow it!
Sealants: There are some over-the-counter products that help seal a canker sore and protect it from infections. Aloe vera, vitamin E, or a licorice root tablet can also do the tricks.

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Orthodontics may be provided by general dentists.