How to cure mouth sores and canker sores (in 8 steps)

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

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

Canker sores: what are they?

We call sores or canker sores those ulcer-type lesions that appear inside the oral cavity, frequently in the inner area of ​​lips and cheeks. These lesions tend to cause a tingling sensation, burning sensation, 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 originate these ulcers are very diverse, highlighting the following:

1. Rubbing or physical injury

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

2. Infection

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

3. Nutritional deficiencies

The 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 does not have enough nutrients to function properly. In fact, it tends to be one of the most frequent causes of sores to appear, and a visit to the doctor is recommended so that he can indicate more efficient dietary guidelines.

4. Stress

Continued stressful situations they 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. appear more frequently, for this reason the appearance of canker sores is more frequent 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 related 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 fair to ask what we can do when we are faced with this uncomfortable phenomenon.

1. Use of salt

It is a traditional, inexpensive 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 between two and three times a day. The reason for its effectiveness is that sodium chloride is a highly effective natural antiseptic.

2. Use of bicarbonate

Also a highly effective antiseptic, you can make a small poultice with water and bicarbonate, which can be applied in the area of ​​the sore, to later rinse the 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 a cotton ball to later apply it on the sore itself, several times a day. It is a quick method of healing, and the sore in question can disappear in two or three days. It is important to be careful not to swallow hydrogen peroxide, as it can be dangerous.

4. Pain management: 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 bicarbonate, 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

Ingestion of this product allows the bacterial composition of the mouth to be varied. and change its degree of acidity by acting on the pH. It is applicable directly on the injury, although the simple consumption of 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 on the sores several times a day, making it difficult for the bacterial infection that can cause the sore by reducing the acidity of the mouth.

8. Changes in diet

The formation of sores can be caused on many occasions 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. It is also recommended to avoid acidic or spicy foods.

Other similar injuries

Canker sores are very common lesions that 80% of the population has had or will have at some time in their life, on many occasions 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 canker sore and oral herpes is complex since the physical appearance of the ulcer lesion is similar. However, herpes and thrush differ in what produces them: herpes is produced by a virus, being 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. While it tends to appear on the sexual organs, it can also appear on the lips if unprotected oral sex has occurred. Like the sores, with the passage of time it disappears, but in the case of syphilis to proceed to affect the virus throughout the body.

Caution!

Although the presence of mouth ulcerations is common in the population, the presence of these very frequently or continuously may be indicating the presence of a medical problem.

Therefore, if the case arises, it would be advisable to go to medical services, since it is possible that have any anemia, illness or an unhealthy eating or hygienic habit that facilitates the ulceration