Canker sores, also known as aphthous ulcers, present as small, painful lesions on the soft tissues of the mouth and gums. They may occur singly or in clusters. These non-contagious sores may heal on their own within a few weeks, according to The Mayo Clinic. While doctors don't know what causes canker sores, understanding triggers can help prevent them. Familydoctor.org reveals that triggers may include trauma to the mouth, poor nutrition and allergies.
Milk of Magnesia
The Mayo Clinic lists milk of magnesia as a homeopathic remedy for canker sores. Physicians there suggest applying a small amount of it to the canker sore several times daily to ease pain and speed healing. Animated-teeth.com reveals that using milk of magnesia also protects canker sores from irritation, forming a barrier over the lesion. Another home treatment is rinsing the mouth with a mixture of milk of magnesia and liquid allergy medication to combine protective qualities with numbing agents in the allergy medication.
Homemade Mouthwashes
Kidshealth.org recommends a homemade mouthwash to ease the pain of canker sores. Rinsing the mouth four times daily with a solution of two parts hydrogen peroxide and two parts water or a solution of four parts water combined with 1 tsp. baking soda may bring relief. The Mayo Clinic suggests using a mixture of one part diphenhydramine to one part bismuth subsalicylate or simethicone. In both cases, do not swallow the mixture.
Black Tea Compresses
The National Library of Medicine's Medline Plus website reveals that black tea has been used to treat pain, although no scientific evidence exists to back up this use. Kidshealth.org suggests that the tannins in the tea provide its pain relief capabilities, and Animated-teeth says tannins have astringent properties, as well. Treating canker sores at home with direct application of wet black tea bags to the lesions may lessen pain and speed healing.
