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8 Home Remedies for Canker Sores


Canker sores are common, but they can be painful and annoying. Over-the-counter treatments are readily available, but there are a number of natural ways to hasten the healing process.


It is not unusual for people to develop a canker sore up to four times each year. These ulcerations develop on the inside of a lip or cheek. Canker sores are typically yellow or white in color and are surrounded by reddened inflammation. The problem can last from one to three weeks. However, in some cases, the sores may last up to six weeks. In more severe instances, the lesions may be accompanied by a fever, swollen lymph glands and general malaise.


Canker sores are not contagious. However, the precise reason for their development remains unknown. Contributing factors include stress, injury or illness. Children and adults with impaired immune systems are more prone to developing canker sores. People living with celiac or Crohn's disease are also at a higher risk. The lesions might occur secondary to complex B vitamin, iron or zinc deficiencies.


Canker Sore Dos and Don'ts


Eating acidic fruits and vegetables may cause a canker sore to appear. The foods can also irritate and make the lesion worse. Grapefruit, lemons, oranges, pineapples, tomatoes along with fermented foods all have high citric acid levels, which may erode soft tissues over time. They also aggravate canker sores and may lead to additional eruptions. The acid content of coffee is another problem along with carbonated beverages. Salty foods add to the discomfort. Nuts, chips and other sharp snack foods can damage healthy tissues and further disrupt the healing process of existing sores. Sharp areas on a tooth, braces or improperly fitting dentures can all cause soft tissue injuries, which may lead to canker sores.


Foods that are recommended in order to hasten the healing of cold sores should be rich in complex B vitamins, iron and zinc. Healthier meals may include lean meats, poultry and fish along with dark green and leafy vegetables. Beans, cheeses, milk and shellfish are also nutritious options.


Canker Sores vs. Cold Sores


Canker sores and cold sores are not the same. When sick with a cold, cold sores or fever blisters may erupt secondary to the herpes simplex 1 virus. When the virus emerges, painful blisters appear on the outside of the mouth on, above or below a lip, around the nose or under the chin area. While canker sores are not contagious, cold sores are indeed contagious.


Natural Homemade Remedies for Canker Sores


Over-the-counter treatments are available for canker sores, but natural remedies may be preferable in many cases. These types of preparations can potentially ease or eliminate a person's symptoms without the need for harsh chemicals or treatments. Most are easy to prepare and contain ingredients that are commonly found around the house.


Aloe Vera Swish for Canker Sores


Ancient peoples around the world long favored the aloe vera plant for its cleansing and healing properties. In recent years, scientists have uncovered some of the secrets of the plant's health benefits. The gel contains vitamins A, complex B, C and E, and nine different minerals and phytonutrients that promote healing by providing much-needed tissue nourishment. Aloe vera additionally contains eight types of enzymes known to reduce swelling and inflammation while encouraging new cell growth. The gel also protects cells from the free radicals that cause damage and aging.


Ingredients:

Instructions:

  1. Combine the gel with the water.

  2. Swish the mixture three times daily to alleviate discomfort and promote healing.

Chamomile Tea Bag Remedy


Chamomile has been used for thousands of years by different cultures as an alternative medicine. The flowers possess analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties along with having a pleasant fragrance.

Ingredients:

Instructions:

  1. Put the flowers in a piece of cheesecloth and close using string.

  2. Soak the flowers for three to four minutes in water.

  3. Apply the tea bag to the sore for 5 to 10 minutes.

  4. Repeat two times a day.

Clove Oil Remedy


The Chinese have used this fragrant spice for thousands of years in cooking and as a form of alternative medicine. Clove oil is widely favored for its anesthetic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and antioxidant properties.

Ingredients:

Instructions:

  1. Swish with plain or salt water to cleanse the mouth.

  2. Combine the clove and olive oils.

  3. Dab a cotton ball into the mixture.

  4. Apply the cotton ball to the canker sore.

Coconut Oil Remedy


Coconut oil offers a number of skin benefits, which include harboring antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.

Ingredients:

Instructions:

  1. Apply a liberal amount of coconut oil to a cotton swab.

  2. Apply the oil directly to the canker sore.

Homemade Cayenne Cream for Canker Sores


South American and Native American cultures prized the cayenne chili pepper for at least 9,000 years for the spice's analgesic properties. The capsaicin compound in the spice interferes with a substance known simply as “P,” which is responsible for transmitting pain messages to the brain.

Ingredients:

Instructions:

  1. Mix the spice with enough warm water to form a paste.

  2. Dab a cotton swab into the mixture and apply it to the canker sore.

  3. Repeat the treatment two to three times a day.

Numbing Spray Remedy


The cooling characteristics of eucalyptus and peppermint oils help calm the inflammation and ease the discomfort commonly associated with canker sores. The oils additionally have antimicrobial properties.

Ingredients: