How To Cure Sores And Canker Sores In The Mouth (in 8 Steps)

Most of the population will have had, at some point in their lives, a mouth sore.

These types of injuries are usually painful and annoying in multiple very common activities in daily life , like eating and communicating orally. For this reason, in this article we proceed to visualize eight steps or indications in order to accelerate the healing of mouth sores or canker sores. However, first we proceed to examine what canker sores are and consider some possible reasons why they may occur.

Canker sores: what are they?

We call sores or canker sores those ulcer-type lesions that appear inside the oral cavity , frequently on the inside of the lips and cheeks. These lesions tend to cause a sensation of tingling, burning and pain, and episodes of fever may also appear.

Although they are a nuisance for those who suffer from them, they do not usually pose a serious problem, they are not contagious and in fact they tend to disappear on their own.

Possible causes

The causes that can cause these ulcers are very diverse, highlighting the following:

1. Friction or physical injury

The cause of sores in the oral area can be very varied In this sense, they frequently appear due to physical injuries, such as bites. Likewise, it is also common for sores, ulcers and other ulcers to appear in people who wear orthodontics, due to continuous friction with the oral walls.

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2. Infection

Another possible etiology of canker sores can be found in the bacterial infection which may have been produced by many different causes.

3. Nutritional deficiencies

Lack of iron, vitamins, minerals and other essential elements in our diet can also cause thrush , by producing a weakness of the body and the immune system and the body not having enough nutrients to function correctly. In fact, it tends to be one of the most frequent causes of sores appearing, making it advisable to visit the doctor so that he or she can indicate more efficient dietary guidelines.

4. Stress

Situations of continued stress can cause a weakening of the immune system. This causes the body to be weaker to bacterial attacks and problems such as anemia and nutritional deficiencies to appear more frequently, which is why the appearance of thrush is more common in situations of high tension. In addition, stress can cause the performance or cessation of behaviors that increase the risk of sores.

5. Other causes

Hormonal changes, changes in the pH of the digestive tract or even food allergies have also been linked to the formation of sores in the oral cavity. The etiology is, as can be seen, very varied.

Eight steps or remedies to cure sores and canker sores

Having contemplated what they are and how they can be produced, It is legitimate to ask what we can do when we find ourselves faced with this uncomfortable phenomenon

1. Use of salt

It is a traditional, economical and effective remedy Simply dissolve a tablespoon of salt in a glass of warm water and rinse with it. It is recommended to do this process two to three times a day. The reason for its effectiveness is that sodium chloride is a highly effective natural antiseptic.

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2. Use of baking soda

Also a highly effective antiseptic , you can make a small poultice with water and baking soda, which you can apply to the area of ​​the sore, and then rinse your mouth. You can also rinse with it, as in the previous case. As with salt, it acts as an antiseptic that reduces the alkalinity of the mouth.

3. Application of hydrogen peroxide

It also serves to prevent infections On this occasion it is only necessary to apply the product on an ear stick or cotton wool and then apply it to the sore itself, several times a day. It is a quick healing method, and the sore in question can disappear in two or three days. It is important to be careful not to swallow hydrogen peroxide, since it can be dangerous.

4. Pain treatment: ice

Using ice is an effective way to soothe the pain caused by canker sores , as well as reducing inflammation. However, it tends to be a somewhat slower healing process.

5. Mouthwash

Like salt and baking soda, it acts as an effective antiseptic , reducing the risk of infection. You can use commercial rinse or simply use a mixture of vinegar and water. It is recommended to rinse twice a day.

6. Lower oral pH: consumption/application of yogurt

The ingestion of this product allows the bacterial composition of the mouth to vary and change its degree of acidity by acting on the pH. It is applicable directly to the injury, although simply consuming the product already has a positive effect.

7. Milk of magnesia

It serves to change the pH of the mouth, thereby fighting the bacteria that cause ulceration The way to use it is to apply it to the sores several times a day, preventing the bacterial infection that can cause the sore by lowering the acidity of the mouth.

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8. Changes in diet

The formation of sores can often be caused by a lack of nutrients essential in our body. Therefore, it is essential to maintain a varied diet that includes iron, vitamins and minerals. Eating fruits, vegetables and cereals are useful, simple and preventive tips. Likewise, it is also recommended to avoid acidic or spicy foods.

Other similar injuries

Canker sores are very common injuries that 80% of the population has had or will have had it at some point in their lives , often on a recurring basis. However, there are other alterations that have a similar presentation with which they can be confused. Two of them are the following:

1. Oral herpes

The differentiation between thrush and oral herpes is complex since the physical appearance of the ulcerative lesion is similar However, herpes and thrush differ in what causes them: herpes is caused by a virus, is contagious and can also appear in other areas of the face other than the mouth. In the case of canker sores, the lesion is limited to the oral area and since they are not due to viruses, they do not cause contagion.

2. Syphilitic chancre

It is a painless and solitary ulceration, red and usually rounded , which appears as the first manifestation of syphilis. Although it tends to appear on the sexual organs, it can also appear on the lips if unprotected oral sex has occurred. Like sores, it disappears over time, but in the case of syphilis the virus proceeds to affect the entire body.

Caution!

Although the presence of oral ulcerations is common in the population, The presence of these very frequently or continuously may indicate the presence of a medical problem

Therefore, if this is the case, it would be advisable to go to medical services, since it is possible that you have anemia, illness or some unhealthy eating or hygiene habit that facilitates ulceration.