Can you tell me how to heal canker sores with home remedies? I get them all the time on the inside of my lips and I’m sick of them. They hurt so much.
Marcia Roberts, Pittsburgh
You might want to check with your doctor, dentist, orthodontist to see if there is an underlying cause. Braces can cause cankers, and so can some disorders of the digestive tract. In the meantime, let’s talk about how to get some sort of canker sore relief.
The first thing to do is cut down on acid in your diet until the sore is healed. Brush your teeth regularly with sulfate-free toothpaste. This can help cut down on irritation.
Next, have you tried an over-the-counter remedy like Anbesol or Oragel? They numb the sore and help it heal. If the pain is intense, you could try taking Tylenol or ibuprofen to reduce the inflammation.
After that, apply aloe gel or rinse with a combination of one tablespoon aloe to a cup of water. Hold this mixture in your mouth so that it completely covers the sore for a couple of minutes. You can do this up to three times a day.
Hydrogen peroxide also helps. Make a mouth-wash with a quarter cup each of hydrogen peroxide and water. Add a teaspoon each of baking soda and salt. Swish that around inside your mouth, but be sure to spit it all out and not swallow any of it.
Even applying raw honey to the canker sore can help diminish the pain and speed up the healing. Otherwise, make yourself a cup of chamomile tea, then hold the teabag on the canker sores on your tongue for a few minutes.