Canker sores are small ulcers in the mouth and cause mild to serious pain. Unlike cold sores, they appear exclusively in the mouth and have numerous possible causes, including stress, injuries, hormonal fluctuations, vitamin and mineral deficiencies, food allergies, and immunity issues. If you are dealing with the sores, use these tips to relieve your discomfort and see your dentist if the symptoms worsen.

4 Tips for Minimizing or Eliminating Canker Sore Pain

1. Apply a Topical OTC Treatment

Create a protective seal over your canker sore with an over-the-counter treatment. Gel products can reduce pain and hasten the healing process. The gel from an aloe vera plant also soothes and promotes healing. Topical anesthetics numb the pain but do not offer healing benefits.

2. Use Oral Rinses

Make a soothing, healing oral rinse by mixing 1 tablespoon of hydrogen peroxide in 1 cup of water. The peroxide has antiseptic properties to kill mouth bacteria. Add 1 teaspoon of baking soda to half a cup of warm water as another oral rinse option. Baking soda helps kill bacteria, encourages speedy healing, and neutralizes irritating acids.

3. Avoid Acidic & Spicy Foods

Refrain from consuming spicy and acidic foods that feel abrasive against canker sores, such as hot peppers, oranges and other citrus fruits, and anything with a lot of black pepper. These foods irritate the mouth and further aggravate canker sores. 

4. Strengthen Your Immune System

Fortify your immune system and hasten canker sore healing by maintaining a balanced, nutrient-dense diet and taking herbal vitamins and supplements. Echinacea helps boost the immune system, as does vitamin C. The essential vitamin also helps your mouth’s mucous membranes heal so your canker sores disappear faster.
 

If your canker sores worsen or you want to discuss options for pain relief, make an appointment with Dr. Robert N. Petrtyl, DDS. The Cincinnati, OH, dentist has served families throughout Blue Ash, Mason, Reading, Finneytown, Winton Hills, and Wyoming for over 30 years and combines state-of-the-art technology with the welcoming atmosphere patients need. Call (513) 554-4657 today to schedule an appointment, or send the dentist a message online. Follow the Twitter feed for additional dental care tips.