Canker Sore Cures

Canker sores are red or white sores that develop in the lining of the mouth or on the tongue. Also called mouth ulcers, these sores are usually not an indication of a serious disease, but can be painful until they heal. Several treatment options are available to help cure canker sores and minimize pain.

Causes

• Canker sores can occur if you bite your mouth or tongue or if you drink or eat a beverage or food that is very hot. A scratch from a loose brace wire or poorly fitting dentures can also cause these sores. Monthly hormonal fluctuations in women, viruses, stress, poor nutrition or food allergies may contribute to the formation of canker sores. In many cases, the cause of the sores is unknown. According to the American Dental Association, a canker sore that lasts for more than one week should be examined, as these sores can sometimes be a symptom of a disorder or disease. People who have certain gastrointestinal conditions, such as Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis can be more susceptible to developing the condition.

Over-the-counter Treatments

• Over-the-counter medication, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, can help relieve the pain of a canker sore. Other medications, including Orabase, Anbesol and Orajel, work by numbing the affected area, making it easier to eat, drink and talk. These medications are available in gel or liquid form and are applied directly to the canker sore when pain relief is needed.

Prescription Topical Medication

• Topical steroids, such as Lidex, are applied directly to the canker sore. These medications may reduce pain and speed healing. Aphthasol contains the medication amlexanox and can also be helpful in speeding healing. Aphthasol is available in a paste form that is applied to the canker sore four times each day.

Prescription Oral Medication

• Tagament, a drug usually used to treat heartburn, and colchicine, a drug used in the treatment of gout, may also be helpful in treating canker stores. If canker sores are very painful and large, and aren't helped by other treatments, oral steroids may be prescribed. Because the use of oral steroids can have serious side effects, these drugs are usually only prescribed as a last resort.

Home Remedies

• A variety of home remedies can help heal a canker sore and reduce pain. A mixture of half a tsp. of water and half a tsp. of hydrogen peroxide can be applied directly to the sore with a cotton swab. After this mixture is applied, a few drops of Milk of Magnesia can be applied to help promote faster healing. Equal amounts of Milk and Magnesia and liquid Benadryl allergy medication can be mixed together and used as a mouth rinse. The mixture shouldn't be swallowed and can be used every four to six hours for pain relief.

Seeking Medical Advice

• Canker sores that have not healed after two weeks or more should be examined by your doctor or dentist. You may also want to consult your doctor of dentist if pain is severe and not relieved by pain medication, sores are very large, new sores form before existing sores have healed, sores extend to the lips or you have a high fever.