How to Get Rid of a Canker Sore on a Lip

Many people periodically develop canker sores. Canker sores are ulcers that appear inside the lips and in the mouth. Caused by things like a sharp tooth or braces rubbing against the gums or by eating highly acidic foods, canker sores develop have a whitish-yellow color in the middle and are bright red around the outside. Although canker sores are benign and harmless, they can be painful and unsightly. Cankers sores can be alleviated and healed by following a few simple steps.

Things You'll Need

• Ice cube
• Sodium lauryl sulfate-free toothpaste
• Liquid antihistamine
• Petroleum jelly
• Cotton swabs
• Salt
• Baking soda
• Mouth rinse
• Hydrogen peroxide
• Milk of magnesia
• Zinc lozenges
• Vitamin C

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Instructions

• 1

  Prevent further growth of the sore as soon as it appears by holding an ice cube against it.

• 2

  Stop eating salty foods and acidic foods such as citrus fruit or foods with vinegar after a canker sore develops. These will irritate and possibly enlarge the sore.

• 3

  Prevent irritation as well as further canker sores from developing by using a sodium lauryl sulfate-free toothpaste.

• 4

  Relieve the pain of the canker sore by swishing a tablespoon of liquid antihistamine made with diphenhydramine. Swish with the medicine for 1 to 2 minutes, four to six times a day.

• 5

  Protect the canker sore from further irritation by periodically swabbing it with petroleum jelly.

• 6

  Sterilize and cleanse your mouth to promote healing by swishing with a saline solution. Dissolve 1 tsp. salt and a 1/2 tsp. of baking soda in a cup of warm water. Swish with the solution for 30 seconds. Rinse your mouth with saline solution once in the morning, once in the evening and after meals.

• 7

  Keep your mouth free of bacteria to promote healing by swishing twice a day with an oral care mouth rinse.

• 8

  Speed up the healing process by swabbing the sores with hydrogen peroxide and milk of magnesia. Dampen a cotton swab with hydrogen peroxide and dab it over the sore. Follow the hydrogen peroxide by then dabbing the sore with milk of magnesia. This can be done three or four times a day. Do not swallow hydrogen peroxide.

• 9

  Take zinc lozenges and vitamin C to boost your immune system.