Soothing Mouth Ulcer Treatment Tips
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Soothing Mouth Ulcer Treatment Tips

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Have you ever developed a white painful sore with red borders inside of your mouth? These are called aphthous ulcers, better known as mouth ulcers. It is something of a mystery as to why some people get these lesions, but usually the cause could be related to stress, a slight injury to the soft tissues in the mouth, dentures that don't fit properly, or braces, as well as eating highly acidic foods such as oranges, strawberries and tomatoes, or nutritional deficiencies.

Symptoms of Mouth Ulcers

Mouth ulcers occur inside the mouth, from the inner parts of the lips to inside the cheeks, on the tongue, and even on the upper palate or roof of the mouth. It is a painful area that is tender to touch. The mouth ulcer is not usually contagious. Common mouth ulcers need to run a course of healing that may take a week or two. If the mouth ulcer is more severe, you may consider visiting your dentist for an oral examination.

Symptoms of Cold Sores

On the other hand, if a person develops a cluster of small blisters that turn into a larger sore in the lip area, this may be a cold sore caused by the herpes simplex virus. This second type of mouth ulcer is caused by a virus and is highly contagious. A cold sore may require a prescription antiviral medication from a doctor.

Old-Fashioned Remedies

One of the most common solutions to ease mouth ulcer pain is to ice it. Wrap an ice cube in kitchen paper and hold it over the sore. Never place the ice directly onto the skin. This method brings only temporary relief, but it feels good because it tempers the burning pain.

Another remedy is to place a wet tea bag over the ulcerated area. Black tea contains tannin, which possesses powerful pain-relieving qualities.

Over-the-Counter Solutions

Luckily, there are mouth ulcer treatment products to help with the healing process and to dull the pain. One of the common pain relief methods for mouth ulcer treatment is swishing your mouth with an antibacterial rinse. We recommend using Colgate Peroxyl Medicated Mouthwash. Alcohol-free formulas not only cleanse the mouth but also soothe the irritation, even in sensitive mouths. These formulas can provide a refreshing flavour and most dentists recommend that they contain hydrogen peroxide.

You can also apply a special paste to cover the sore to provide protection and promote healing. You will feel automatic relief as the analgesic benzocaine starts to work.

Boost Your Body's Immunity with Healthy Nutrients

Eating good, natural foods provides the body with healing vitamins and minerals. There may be a link between mouth ulcers and a low intake of iron and several of the B vitamins, such as B-12. Make sure your diet contains lots of fruits, vegetables, eggs, meats and whole grains to obtain these nutrients. Taking a multivitamin may be a good insurance policy. Lastly, make a habit of eating yoghurt. The probiotics are helpful in keeping the digestive system healthy and are even useful for preventing mouth ulcers.

Unfortunately, you will most likely have to ride out this irksome process, but using these remedies may help to allay the discomfort while you wait.

 

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This article is intended to promote understanding of and knowledge about general oral health topics. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your dentist or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment.