Canker sores can be your mouth's worst enemy. They tend to pop out of nowhere and once they are there they make sure to make their presence known. The aching and tingling pain that is caused by one of these pesky sores when touched is something that can't be ignored.
While the exact cause for canker sores is unknown, medical researchers have concluded that there are multiple ways this annoying mouth sore is triggered. Some causes include food sensitivities, emotional stress, allergic reaction to a certain bacteria in your mouth and an accidental cheek bite.
However, some causes of canker sores can be due to more serious conditions, such as Celiac disease or Chron's disease. While very painful, large and long lasting canker sores must be treated by a doctor, minor canker sores can be cured at home.
Next time you get one of these minor, yet irritating, sores in your mouth try out one of these DIY remedies to make it disappear before you know it:
Rinse Mouth with Baking Soda, Salt and Water
The combination of baking soda, salt and water makes a great mixture for cleaning out your mouth. Simply pour one teaspoon of baking soda and one teaspoon of salt into one quarter cup of water. Once you have shaken the mixture well, take a sip of your homemade mouth cleaner, swish it around and spit.
Put Ice on the Canker Sore
Take an ice cube and put it in your mouth near the pesky canker sore. As the ice melts in your mouth, it will slow down the blood flow to the sore, leading it to soothe the canker sore and reduce inflammation.
Apply Hydrogen Peroxide
My go-to DIY treatment for majority of my mouth-related problems is hydrogen peroxide. Take a cotton swab and dip it into a mixture of half hydrogen peroxide, half water and apply it to the sore.
Beware, when you place this mixture onto the sore it will burn and tingle. Don't worry, though. That is just a sign that it is working.
Gargle Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is well-known for killing "bad" bacteria while simultaneously promoting the growth of "good" bacteria—making it a natural antibiotic. To make the canker sore disappear within a few days just gargle a mixture of half apple cider vinegar and half warm water.
Eat Yogurt
Yogurt is a great food to eat when you are in need for a probiotic boost. Not only will the probiotics in the yogurt help heal the canker sore, the yogurt's cool, smooth texture will sooth the pain.
If you don't know what yogurt to buy in the expansive dairy isle, then find out what is the best grocery store yogurt in this article.
Place a Tea Bag on the Canker Sore
Next time you have a canker sore, drink a cup of black tea (organic is ideal) and save the tea bag to place on your sore. Applying the tea bag to the canker sore will help reduce pain and inflammation.
Rinse Mouth with Baking Soda, Aloe Vera Juice and Water
Similar in composition to the baking soda, salt and water mixture, this mouthwash reduces inflammation, soothes irritation and accelerates the healing process of your mouth. To create this mixture, stir 1 teaspoon of baking soda, 2 tablespoons of aloe vera juice and 1/2 cup of warm water together and swish around your mouth once daily until the sore is gone.
While all of these remedies are thought to be very effective in removing canker sores, changing your diet can prevent canker sores. Taking Vitamin B supplements, iron supplements and going gluten-free are known to help prevent canker sores from occurring.
Sometimes the little things that cause major pain, like canker sores, might seem like you need to take prescribed medicine, but in reality, ingredients that are simply laying around your house can have the same results. Ditch the medicine, save money and stay healthy.