What Are the Treatments for an Ulcer in the Mouth?

Mouth ulcers aren't only annoying to eat around, they're painful. Although mouth ulcers (also known as aphthous ulcers or canker sores) take some time to heal, there are several treatments you can choose from to soothe the pain and speed up the healing process.

Ulcer Symptoms

• Dr. Siamak Nabili and Dr. Dennis Lee describe ulcers or canker sores as small craters in your mouth, usually on the inside of your lip, the bottom of your cheek or at the base of your gums or gumline. You know you're suffering from a canker sore if there's a small, circular welt topped with a ruptured yellow or white membrane that burns whenever you touch it or when you eat. Drs. Nabili and Lee state that most canker sores heal on their own within two weeks.

Ulcer Causes

• According to Dr. Michael C Plewa, numerous factors can cause ulcers, including stress, a local injury or infection in the mouth, a menstrual cycle or other hormonal imbalance or change or, even, a food allergy.

Home Remedy

• Doctors at OmniMedicalSearch.com suggest using a saltwater mouth rinse or applying a dab of milk of magnesia to the canker sore with a Q-tip. Your dentist can also prescribe dental rinses that alleviate pain and speed up the healing process of your canker sore.

Dental Paste

• Your doctor, dentist or orthodontist can prescribe a dental paste to help speed along the recovery of your mouth ulcers. According to Dr. Spyridon Marinopoulos, you can apply triamcinolone dental paste or fluocinonide dental paste topically to an ulcer to numb the pain and give it extra protection from saliva and pain during swallowing.

Apply Dental Paste

• To get the maximum benefit out of dental paste, applying it properly during each application is crucial. Using a cotton ball, dry out the area around the ulcer. Dab a little dental paste on a clean Q-tip, and rub gently on the affected area. Allow it to dry before closing your mouth, and avoid drinking or eating any food for at least 30 minutes.

Eating

• To avoid irritating your ulcers or canker sores, avoid foods high in acid (such as tomatoes and oranges), and try eating soft items, like soup and applesauce. Avoid eating scratchy foods, such as hard candy, crackers, peanuts and other salty items. Try chewing on the opposite side of the mouth from where the canker sore is, and brush and rinse your teeth after every meal.