Home Remedies for Mouth Ulcers

Home remedies for mouth ulcers could be a practical and natural way of dealing with this condition. They're simple to prepare and readily available, utilising ingredients commonly found in the kitchen. These remedies don't involve prescription medicines or over-the-counter treatments and therefore are a favourite for many people who want fast relief from the pain and irritation caused by mouth ulcers.

What are Mouth Ulcers?

A mouth ulcer is a small sore which generally develops on soft tissues of the mouth, like the lips, gums, cheeks, tongue and base/roof of the mouth. They could be white, yellow, or gray ulcers with a reddish inflamed border. The primary sign of a mouth ulcer is discomfort when eating, drinking or flossing teeth. Some other signs could include a tingle or burning sensation prior to the sore showing up.

Ulcers in the mouth are benign and in most cases clear up in just one to two weeks. Still, they can be extremely uncomfortable and impact day to day activities. Many are harmless, however recurring or unusually painful ulcers might signal nutritional deficiencies, hormonal changes, or immune system disorders. Recognising the symptoms of mouth ulcers is important for managing them with simple home remedies.

What Causes Mouth Ulcers?

Understanding the causes of mouth ulcers might help manage & prevent them from recurring again. These sores might be caused by physical injuries or systemic health conditions, including:

Physical Injury: Minor injuries from biting your cheek, intense brushing or dental work could cause mouth ulcers. These sores are also usually caused by sharp tooth edges or ill fitting dentures.
Stress & Fatigue: High stress and insufficient sleep are typical triggers which weaken the immune system and help the formation of ulcers.
Vitamin Deficiencies: Vitamin deficiency like B12, iron, & folic acid may result in mouth ulcers.
Hormonal Changes: Fluctuations in hormones during menstruation, pregnancy or menopause can lead to mouth ulcers in many females.
Food Sensitivities: Foods which are spicy or acidic (citrus fruits, tomatoes, and several spices) can irritate the mouth and result in ulcers.
Allergy Reactions: Allergies to specific bacteria in the mouth or components in oral care products like sodium lauryl sulfate present in a lot of toothpastes may result in ulcers.
Health Conditions: Celiac disease, Crohn's disease and autoimmune disorders like Behcet's disease can lead to recurrent mouth ulcers.
Smoking & Tobacco Use: Eating or chewing tobacco causes irritation of the mucous membranes of the mouth and may lead to leukoplakia & mouth ulcers.

Home Remedies and Tips

Mouth ulcers are irritating and painful but some easy home remedies can help ease the pain and accelerate healing. Some effective home remedies for mouth ulcers are:

Saltwater Rinse: One of the easiest home remedies is to rinse your mouth with salt water. Salt is a disinfectant which heals mouth ulcers by reducing inflammation and eliminating pathogens. Dissolve a teaspoon of salt in a cup of hot water and swish it around your mouth for approximately 30 minutes, then spit it out. Repeat this many times each day particularly after meals and prior to bedtime.
Honey: Honey is an antibacterial agent which could heal mouth ulcers at home. Apply some organic, raw honey on the ulcer several times daily. Honey might reduce the size of the ulcer and prevent infection, so it heals faster.
Coconut Oil: An additional anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial agent is coconut oil, which is useful for mouth ulcers. With a thoroughly clean thumb or cotton swab, rub some coconut oil right onto the ulcer. Reapply several times daily to ease the pain and redness.
Aloe Vera Gel: Aloe vera is well known for its healing properties. For mouth ulcers, rub some pure aloe vera gel straight on the sore. This may ease pain and accelerate healing. Repeat applications as needed throughout the day.
Chamomile Tea: Chamomile has anti-inflammatory and antiseptic qualities and could help with mouth ulcers. Make a strong cup of chamomile tea, cool it & then use it as a mouthwash. You can even put a cooled tea bag right on the ulcer to promote healing. This might ease pain and inflammation.
Baking Soda Paste: Baking soda neutralises mouth acid and decreases inflammation. Create a mixture of baking soda and some water and put it over the ulcer. Let it sit for several minutes before rinsing your mouth with water. Do this several times a day to reduce the size & pain of the ulcer.
Vitamin E Oil: Breaking a vitamin E capsule and putting the oil on the ulcer could protect the sore from infection and accelerate healing. Use this oil on the ulcer several times daily.
Licorice Root: Licorice root has antibacterial and antimicrobial properties and it is used to treat mouth ulcers. Soak a piece of licorice root in water to soften & use it to rinse or place some licorice cream right on the ulcer.
Ice Chips: Suck on ice chips for instant relief from the discomfort of mouth ulcers. The cold can numb the pain and reduce swelling. This relief is temporary but is generally calming in case the ulcer is especially painful.
Clove Oil: Clove oil reduces pain and eliminates bacteria from the mouth. With a cotton swab, rub some clove oil onto the ulcer. This could relieve ulcer discomfort and prevent infection.

Lifestyle and Diet Recommendations

Making some lifestyle and diet changes can reduce the occurrence of mouth ulcers and promote faster healing. This is how you can modify your everyday habits and diet for mouth ulcers:

Maintain Good Oral Hygiene: Brushing and flossing regularly can avoid mouth ulcers by keeping your mouth clean and free from particles that could result in an ulcer to get worse. Use a soft bristled toothbrush and toothpaste with no sodium lauryl sulfate to avoid worsening sores.
Avoid Hot and Acidic Foods: Foods loaded with acid or spice can aggravate mouth ulcers and make them more painful and slow to heal. Avoid citrus fruits like lemons and oranges, spicy snacks and sauces which could worsen the discomfort.
Include Vitamin-Rich Foods: Include more green leafy vegetables, whole cereals, and fortified cereals in your diet to obtain more vitamin B, iron, & folic acid. These nutrients are essential for oral health and could help prevent mouth ulcers.
Stay away from Rough, Scratchy Foods: Crunchy and hard foods might scrape and irritate the ulcers. Pick soft foods which are not hard on the mouth in case you have an active ulcer. Good choices include soft cooked vegetables, soups and yogurt.
Keep Hydrated: Drinking enough water keeps your mouth moist and helps heal mouth ulcers. Alcohol and caffeinated beverages could dehydrate you and result in mouth sores.
Minimise Stress: As stress could trigger mouth ulcers, lowering the frequency of ulcers might mean finding ways to deal with stress, whether by yoga, exercise or meditation.