Canker sores can be really painful and make you avoid eating and drinking. They can pop up because of stress, genetics, hormonal issues, or various other factors. Luckily, there are ways to manage the pain and help them heal faster.
### Adjust Your Diet
To ease the pain quickly, avoid spicy, salty, and acidic foods. Swap out tomato-based sauces for cream sauces and opt for apple juice instead of orange juice. Stick to soft foods like pudding, Jell-O, mashed potatoes, cooked vegetables, cereal, melons, and berries. Yogurt is particularly good because it’s not only soft but its beneficial bacterial cultures can help heal the sores when it’s held against them. Cold, smooth foods can also provide a soothing effect.
If you think allergies might be causing your canker sores, consider investigating your diet to identify any potential triggers.
### Home Remedies
In addition to changing your diet, you can try some home remedies to speed up healing:
– Rinse your mouth with a solution of 1/2 teaspoon of salt dissolved in 8 ounces of water.
– Swish around a mixture of 1 teaspoon of baking soda and warm water multiple times a day.
– Make a paste with baking soda and a little water, then apply it directly to the sore.
– Use a tea tree oil and water mixture as a mouth rinse.
– Brew sage tea and use it as a mouth rinse several times daily.
– Make a soothing mixture by combining sugar, lemon or lime juice, and warm water. Heat until dissolved and apply it to the sore when it’s warm (not hot) for quick relief.
### Vitamins and Other Remedies
Certain vitamins can help speed up the healing process for canker sores:
– Vitamin C
– Zinc
– Milk of Magnesia
– Vitamin B12
– L-lysine, especially if taken during the early stages of the sore
If vitamins don’t seem to help, you can try other remedies:
– Swish plum juice around in your mouth.
– Apply alum to the sore and rinse it off (it might sting temporarily). You can also use pickle juice as a substitute.
– Hold a used tea bag against the sore for an extended period.
– Press a piece of sorrel against the sore until it becomes soggy.
– Hold a piece of raw onion against the sore to help it heal faster.
– Use over-the-counter numbing agents to reduce pain.
– Let ice melt over the sore.
– Use toothpaste that doesn’t contain a foaming agent or one specifically made for canker sore relief.
### Additional Tips
Getting enough sleep is also crucial, as rest helps reduce stress and allows your body to heal more effectively.
If all else fails and your canker sores remain stubborn, you might need to consult your dentist for prescription options or other over-the-counter recommendations.