How To Get Rid Of Mouth Ulcers
Most home remedies for ulcers use ingredients commonly found in the kitchen. Here are the top 15 home remedies that can provide fast relief if you are suffering from a painful mouth ulcer.
Cure That Annoying Ulcer With These Solutions
1. Honey For Ulcers
Honey Apply some honey on the ulcer and let it stay. Keep reapplying every few hours. Honey is antimicrobial in nature and also possesses wound healing properties. It will quicken the natural healing process of the mouth ulcer and keep it infection free. It also reduces the irritation and swelling (1, 2).
2. Baking Soda For Ulcers
1 teaspoon baking soda 1 tablespoon water
Repeat this thrice during the day. Usually, baking soda, also known as sodium bicarbonate, is used around the house to clean and deodorize. It also is an excellent home remedy for mouth ulcers. It eases the pain and speeds up the healing process by neutralizing the ulcer acids (3). Its antibacterial action will help you maintain oral hygiene (4).
3. Coconut Oil For Mouth Ulcers
Virgin coconut oil Dab a little bit of this oil on the mouth ulcer and leave it on. Repeat this a few times during the day. You can also apply the oil on the ulcer before going to bed. Coconut oil treats ulcers naturally due its extensive antimicrobial components – the medium chain fatty acids (5). It is also an anti-inflammatory compound and an analgesic (6). These properties will reduce the swelling and pain you experience because of the mouth ulcer.
4. Apple Cider Vinegar For Mouth Ulcers
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar 1/2 cup warm water
Repeat this every morning and evening until the mouth ulcer heals. The acidity of apple cider vinegar will kill the bacteria causing the mouth ulcers and heal it (7).
5. Alum For Mouth Ulcers
Alum crystals Cotton swab Water
Repeat this twice a day. Alum has been shown to exhibit antimicrobial properties against microorganisms that cause issues in different parts of the digestive system (8). The alum may sting a little, so be prepared.
6. Salt Water For Ulcers
1 tablespoon salt A glass of lukewarm water
Do the salt water gargle a few times during the day. The water will flush out your mouth and also have a soothing effect on the ulcer. Salt has antiseptic properties and can help to heal the ulcer faster (9).
7. Toothpaste For Mouth Ulcers
Toothpaste Q-tip
Do this every day until the whiteness of the ulcer disappears. One of the key properties of a good toothpaste is its antimicrobial capacity (10). Applying this on the mouth ulcer will clear out the infection that is causing the ulcer. This mouth ulcers home remedy will sting, so apply some aloe vera gel afterwards.
8. Orange Juice For Ulcers
Fresh orange juice (or fortified) Drink two glasses of orange juice in a day. Repeat this every day until the mouth ulcer heals. The key to this remedy is getting a lot of vitamin C into your body. It has been seen that vitamin C deficiency can result in mouth ulcers. Also, vitamin C boosts your immune system and helps your body fight all kinds of infections, including mouth ulcers (11).
9. Clove Oil For Ulcers
Clove oil Cotton swab
Apply clove oil twice or thrice a day. Clove oil and its eugenol content are extensively used for dealing with oral problems quickly and effectively. Its antimicrobial action and healing properties work wonders when it comes to mouth ulcers (12).
10. Cayenne For Ulcers
Cayenne powder Q-tip
You can apply this twice a day. Cayenne pepper is becoming famous as a remedy for pain management. It contains capsaicin, which gives it its hotness. This will numb the pain and also kill any microbes present at the site of the mouth ulcer (13, 14). Caution Cayenne pepper is bound to sting, so be careful when you apply it.
11. Coconut Milk For Ulcers
Coconut milk Gargle with coconut milk for a few minutes and then rinse your mouth with clean water. Do this three to four times during the day. Fresh coconut milk is a wonderful home remedy for mouth ulcers. It has a soothing effect and can help in lessening the pain (15). The pain will subside quickly, allowing you to eat normally.
12. Turmeric For Mouth Ulcers
2 tablespoons turmeric powder 1 tablespoon water
Apply this every day in the morning and evening until the mouth ulcer heals. Turmeric is a well-known antiseptic that is used both topically and internally to treat infections. Its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties can give you quick relief from the mouth ulcer (16).
13. Garlic For Mouth Ulcers
1 garlic clove Repeat this twice or thrice a day. Like turmeric, garlic is also extensively used to treat infections because of its strong antimicrobial activity against a wide range of microorganisms. The allicin found in garlic is said to be the main component that is responsible for this property (17).
14. Epsom Salt For Mouth Ulcers
2 tablespoons Epsom salt A cup of lukewarm water
It is recommended that you do the Epsom salt gargle twice or thrice a day. Epsom salt contains minerals that have antibacterial action when applied on the mouth ulcer (18).
15. Cabbage Juice For Ulcers
1 raw cabbage Water
Drink three to four glasses in a day. Cabbage juice possesses anti-inflammatory compounds and speeds up the healing process of the mouth ulcers (19). Now that you know how to get rid of mouth ulcers, its time you try these remedies. The remedies listed above are versatile and work for most types of mouth ulcers. Using them diligently will heal the ulcer in no time. Knowing the types of mouth ulcers will help you deal with them better. Listed below are the types:
Types Of Mouth Ulcers
Mouth ulcers are a common occurrence in people of all ages. They are usually divided into the following types:
Minor Ulcers – These are small ulcers ranging from 2-8mm in diameter. These ulcers take about 10 to 14 days to clear up, which is shorter when compared to the other types.
Major Ulcers – These ulcers are bigger than the minor ones, and they are also set deeper into the skin. They usually have a raised and/or irregular border. It can take several weeks for these ulcers to clear up. They are also known to leave scars behind once they are healed.
Herpetiform (Herpes) Ulcers – When the ulcers are formed because of the Herpes virus, they are known as Herpetiform ulcers. They look like small pinheads and usually in clusters.
Listed below are a few frequently asked questions regarding mouth ulcers. What causes mouth ulcers? There are many factors that can cause mouth ulcers. These include: • Infection of the mouth and gums due to virus or bacteria • Herpes virus infection • Mouth injury • Biting the tongue or cheek • Stress • Intestinal problems • Oral thrush More serious causes include autoimmune disorders, such as Crohn’s disease, and oral cancer (20). Does oil pulling cure mouth ulcers? Oil pulling or oil swishing has been known to help a lot of people who were suffering from mouth ulcers. All you need to do is swish two to three tablespoons of coconut oil in your mouth for a few minutes and then spit it out. This needs to be followed by thorough rinsing of the mouth with lukewarm water. What are the symptoms of mouth ulcer? The symptoms of mouth ulcer include: • An open sore in your mouth or on your lip • Pain around the sore area • Tenderness in the affected area • Difficulty in swallowing (20) What to eat if you have an ulcer? When suffering from a mouth ulcer, many foods can be included in your diet to get faster relief from the pain and infection. Follow this ulcer diet to get rid of that painful and annoying ulcer: • Vegetables like cabbage, tomatoes, green leafy vegetables, broccoli, and potato • Vitamin C and calcium-rich foods such as yogurt, milk, and citrus juices • Fruits such as bananas, apples, pumpkins, papaya, and grapefruit • Vitamin B-rich foods like eggs, rice milk, and soy milk What not to eat with an ulcer? It is always advisable to let your mouth and stomach recuperate when you have an ulcer. Avoid the following foods and drinks: • Tea, coffee, and carbonated drinks • Oily and spicy food • Allergenic foods that can trigger ulcers What causes bleeding ulcers? When the ulcer is caused due to an infection and the infection has progressed, it can also cause bleeding from the ulcer and the gums. Why are mouth ulcers so painful? Check out the infographic below to learn more about the nourishing ingredients that can soothe your ulcers and how you can use them. Your mouth is densely innervated. Thus, the presence of an ulcer sensitizes these nerves and causes pain. You also use your mouth a lot to speak, eat, or perform unconscious actions like gulping, thus constantly using or moving your muscles and irritating the ulcer. Can ulcers spread by kissing? Generally, no. However, if the ulcer was caused due to a viral or bacterial infection, it may be contagious. Does mouthwash help ulcers? Yes. Look for an antibacterial mouthwash that can prevent any infection during this susceptible period. Does lack of sleep cause mouth ulcers? Possibly. While there is a lack of evidence suggesting a link between the two, a disturbed sleep schedule may add to your stress and hectic lifestyle. This may increase the risk of mouth ulcers. How do you tell if an ulcer is healing? The ulcer shows signs of healing when the pain subsides and new cells start to grow around it. Hope this article helped you. Do let us know if we missed out on anything in the comments section below.
