Home Remedies for Mouth Sores and Ulcers

Types of Mouth Ulcers and Their Causes

Mouth ulcers come in various forms, such as canker sores, oral lichen planus, leukoplakia, erythroplakia, oral thrush, and even oral cancer. Canker sores are the most common and can be caused by minor trauma, acidic foods, or stress. Other causes of mouth ulcers include hormonal changes, lack of sleep, vitamin deficiencies, autoimmune diseases, and infections. Some underlying health conditions like Crohn's disease and lupus can also contribute to the development of mouth ulcers.

Symptoms and Diagnosis

Mouth ulcers typically appear as sores on the gums, tongue, inner cheeks, or lips. They may be red around the edges and white, yellow, or gray in the center. Symptoms can include swelling, increased soreness when brushing teeth, and pain when eating spicy, salty, or sour foods. A healthcare provider can diagnose mouth ulcers through a visual examination and may order blood tests if needed.

Treatment Options

Most mouth ulcers heal on their own, but medications can be prescribed to ease discomfort. Common treatments include antiseptic gels, steroid ointments, and immunosuppressants in severe cases. At home, you can relieve symptoms by drinking plenty of water, maintaining good oral hygiene, rinsing with warm saltwater, using hydrogen peroxide and water mixtures, avoiding certain foods, and applying over-the-counter topical anesthetics.

Prevention Tips

To prevent mouth ulcers, brush and floss your teeth regularly, use a soft-bristled toothbrush, eat a balanced diet, visit the dentist for checkups, and manage underlying conditions if applicable.

When to Seek Professional Help

If you have mouth sores that last for three weeks or longer, new sores that appear before the old ones heal, ulcers that affect the outer part of your lips, pain that doesn't improve with medication, unusually large ulcers, painless sores, fever, or diarrhea, it's time to see a healthcare provider. You should also ask your provider about the cause of recurring ulcers, ways to reduce the risk, and recommended treatments.

Common Questions and Differences

There's a difference between mouth ulcers and canker sores. Canker sores are a type of mouth ulcer but often have no known cause. Cold sores are different and appear outside the mouth. Any mouth ulcer that lasts longer than three weeks could indicate a more serious underlying condition or even cancer.

Natural Home Remedies

Some natural remedies to cure mouth ulcers fast include dissolving salt in warm water for rinsing, making a baking soda paste, applying honey, coconut oil, aloe vera gel, a turmeric paste, steeping chamomile tea bags, mixing hydrogen peroxide and water, soaking licorice root powder, and taking vitamin B complex supplements. However, it's advisable to consult a dental professional for proper evaluation and treatment.