Canker sores form on the mouth's gums, cheeks and inner lips. The lesions, also known as aphthous ulcers, are painful and temporarily interfere with eating and drinking. The sores are not linked with the herpes simplex virus and oral cold sores. Left untreated, a canker sore takes about one to two weeks to heal. A variety of home remedies decrease pain and soothe the area. Sores lasting longer than two weeks or extremely large canker sores often require medical treatment.
Oral Rinses and Pastes
A variety of oral rinses can quickly be created at home to relieve canker sore pain. MayoClinic.com recommends mixing together 1 cup warm water with 1/2 tsp. baking soda. An alternative rinse includes 50 percent hydrogen peroxide and 50 percent water. Both rinses should be swished in the mouth and then spit out. A cotton ball may also be used to dab the solutions directly onto the canker sore, advises MedlinePlus. A simple paste covering the canker sore also relieves discomfort. Baking soda and a small amount of water are mixed together and applied over the sore. The paste is left in place until reapplication is necessary.
Cold Therapy
Ice chips placed in the mouth numb the canker sore and give temporary relief. As the ice slowly melts over the canker sore, it slightly numbs the area. Frozen ice pops and ice cream may also chill and numb the area.
Over-the-Counter Medications
MayoClinic.com suggests canker sores be covered with a dab of milk of magnesia to reduce pain. Additional oral numbing medications are also available, including topical benzocain gels, commonly sold as brand name Orajel. Drugs.com suggests only using the smallest amount of gel necessary to numb the canker sore. Eating is discouraged within one hour of medication application. Patients should make effort to not swallow medication if applying it orally.
Relaxation
Relaxation techniques such as yoga and meditation may decrease pain associated with a canker sore, suggests MayoClinic.com. Deep breathing exercises allow a person to reduce stress and not focus on pain. Stress is a common cause of canker sores; removing stress allows the canker sore to possibly heal quicker.
