How to get rid of a canker sore: A detailed guide

Canker sores are very common sores that appear in your mouth, often inside your lips or cheeks, on your gums, or on your tongue. They’re usually red, white, or yellow and surrounded by inflamed soft tissue. They can be painful and irritating.

Canker sores have various causes, including:

• injury to your mouth
• viral infections
• stress
• food allergies
• vitamin deficiency

Canker sores usually go away on their own with time, but some medications can help ease your symptoms and promote healing.

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Medications to manage canker sores

Canker sores, also known as aphthous ulcers, may heal without medications. But sometimes, medications may be necessary, or you may want to try some OTC options to soothe any discomfort.

OTC remedies

OTC medications won’t treat the canker sore itself, but they may help with the pain and swelling associated with the sores. Topical anesthetics are a popular option. These usually come in a gel form that you can apply directly to the sore in your mouth. Options include:

• benzocaine (Orajel)
• lidocaine (Zilactin-L)

Avoid swallowing these medications. Try not to eat or drink directly after application to allow the medications to take effect without being washed away.

Some 2019 research also suggests that a mouth rinse and a topical gel containing hyaluronic acid may be effective in managing canker sores, easing pain, and even reducing healing time.

You may also want to try rinses with mouthwashes containing chlorhexidine (Peridex) to reduce pain.

Oral pain relievers may help relieve the pain and inflammation associated with canker sores. These include acetaminophen (Tylenol) and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen (Advil).

Prescription treatments

If your canker sore hasn’t healed within 2 weeks, your symptoms are severe, or you get canker sores very frequently, you may want to speak with a doctor or a dentist. They may decide to use prescription medications to manage your condition.

Topical corticosteroids are the primary treatment method for severe cases. Examples of these include:

• triamcinolone acetonide (Kenalog Orabase)
• fluocinonide (Lidex gel)
• betamethasone (Diprolene)

In very severe cases, doctors might recommend systemic corticosteroids like prednisone (Rayos) in short courses.

If a bacterial infection is present, doctors may prescribe antibiotics. These might be in the form of topical gels, mouthwashes, or even oral antibiotics. Examples include tetracycline mouthwash and metronidazole gel (Metrogel). Doctors might prescribe these in combination with steroid treatments.

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Home remedies for canker sores

Prescription medications aren’t always necessary for canker sores. But these sores can be very uncomfortable while they heal. You can use home remedies to manage your symptoms while you wait for the sores to go away on their own. These include:

• Salt water rinse: Rinsing your mouth with salt dissolved in some warm water can lower inflammation and stop the growth of bacteria. This may be painful while you do the rinse, but it can be beneficial for healing.
• Baking soda rinse: Similarly, baking soda dissolved in warm water can help reduce inflammation and heal canker sores.
• Apple cider vinegar (ACV): ACV has antibacterial properties and may reduce bacteria in your mouth, aiding the healing of canker sores.
• Honey: Honey may have wound-healing properties, which may help speed up the healing of canker sores when applied. But more research into this use specifically is needed.

How long do canker sores usually last?

Canker sores typically go away completely within 10 to 14 days, and you may notice reduced pain even sooner than this. If your symptoms persist for longer than 2 weeks, consider reaching out to a doctor or dentist for evaluation.

Preventing canker sores

It isn’t always possible to prevent canker sores. But there are some strategies you may take to reduce your chances of developing them. These include:

• practicing good oral hygiene
• replacing your toothbrush regularly
• avoiding foods that seem to lead to canker sores, such as spicy or acidic foods
• reducing stress if you feel they’re linked to your mental health
• speaking with a doctor to see if you have any vitamin or mineral deficiencies

Online care for canker sores

Canker sores can be very painful. If you get them frequently or if your symptoms are very severe, it’s important to reach out to a healthcare professional for evaluation and treatment.

Online care services, including Optum Perks Online Care, may make getting treatment easier. With these services, you can submit an online form answering a few questions about your symptoms, and a US-licensed healthcare professional will respond soon after to prescribe a treatment plan.

Summary

Canker sores can be very painful, causing red, white, or yellow inflamed sores inside your mouth. They usually go away on their own. But you can manage them with OTC, prescription, and home remedies.

OTC remedies usually aim to reduce pain. They include topical and oral pain relievers and mouth rinses. The main prescription treatment is topical corticosteroids, which are used to reduce inflammation and promote healing. In some cases, doctors might also use antibiotics.

Canker sores can go away on their own within 2 weeks. But if your symptoms last longer than this, consider speaking with a doctor for treatment.

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