Home Remedies and Herbs for Canker Sores

Canker sores are also known as aphthous ulcers and they are a type of mouth ulcer. They are small lesions that develop on in the inside of your mouth within the soft tissues, on the tongue or along the base of the gum line. Canker sores can be quite painful and can make eating difficult.¹ Canker sores only form on the inside of the mouth and not on the outside like cold sores. Canker sores are not contagious and they usually go away on their own within 1-2 weeks. ¹

What Causes Canker Sores?

There are several possible canker sore causes and sometimes the exact cause is unknown in certain people.¹ Canker sores causes include:^1,2,3

• Injury from dental work
• Cleaning teeth too roughly
• Biting the cheek or tongue
• Allergic reaction to toothpastes or oral products that contain sodium lauryl sulfate
• Emotional stress
• Vitamin B-12, zinc or folic acid deficiency
• Hormonal changes
• Food allergies

Certain disease or conditions may make people more susceptible to developing canker cores. These include:¹

• Celiac disease
• Crohn’s disease
• HIV/AIDS
• Irritable bowel syndrome
• Behcet's disease
• Lowered immune system

Canker Sores Symptoms

Canker sore symptoms include:

• Appearance of small white, yellow or gray lesions in the mouth surrounded by bright red and inflamed skin.
• Appearing on the inside of cheeks or lips, under the tongue, along the gum line or on the soft palate)
• A burning or tingling sensation that starts before the canker sores physically appear

Severe cases of canker sores may also include symptoms of fever, swollen lymph nodes and general discomfort.

Natural Remedies and Herbs for Canker Sores

Though canker sores usually go away on their own, there are some natural treatments you can use to help them heal faster and reduce any discomfort or pain in the mouth. Here are some top canker sores natural remedies to try at home:

• Salt - Salt is a common canker sore natural treatment that can be used at home to help heal canker sores. Salt helps to draw fluid out of the ulcer allowing it to heal faster.
• Baking Soda - Baking soda can be used as a canker sores natural treatment as it can help to neutralize the inflammation and allow it to heal.
• Apple Cider Vinegar - Use apple cider vinegar as a canker sores natural remedy to help reduce inflammation and swelling around the ulcer.
• Peroxide 3 and Epsom Salt - By combining hydrogen peroxide 3% with Epsom salt, you can create a solution that acts as a canker sore natural remedy. This combination helps to alleviate pain while reducing inflammation and allowing the canker sores to heal faster.
• Zinc - Because canker sores are thought to be caused by a possible zinc deficiency, taking zinc may help to prevent canker sores from forming. Additionally, taking zinc tablets can also help to heal existing canker sores quickly.
• Peroxide 3 - Peroxide 3% can be used as a natural topical treatment for canker sores. It can help to dry out the ulcer and reduce inflammation allowing the canker sores to heal faster.

References

1. http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/canker-sore/basics/definition/con-20021262
2. http://umm.edu/health/medical/ency/articles/canker-sore
3. https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000998.htm