Canker sores are very uncomfortable, and you can feel them more intensely when you’re talking or eating. Fortunately, there are a few treatments that can help you heal canker sores.
It’s also important to note that small canker sores generally don’t require medical treatment since time will heal these sores. Smaller sores often go away on their own in about a week. Larger canker sores, especially if they are more painful, will require intentional treatment from a dentist or oral specialist. Big canker sores can last as long as six weeks and could cause oral scarring.
Here are some home remedies that have been proven to heal canker sores.
Household Items to Treat Canker Sores
You may have some products in your home that can heal canker sores. For instance, you can apply ice on the sore, which helps suppress it. Before or after applying ice, rinse your mouth with a combination of salt and water. Make sure the water is warm. You can also rinse with a mixture of water and baking soda.
Using mouthwash can also treat canker sores. The mouthwash should not contain sodium lauryl sulfate since this ingredient can aggravate the sore. After rinsing, apply milk of magnesia to the sore to help it dry up.
If you use these home remedies, you should notice that your sore will heal in about a week.
Medicines and Prescriptions
If home remedies aren’t eradicating your canker sore, you can head to the pharmacy for a possible solution. Look for cream, gel, or paste that contains hydrogen peroxide, benzocaine, or fluocinonide. These ingredients reduce the discomfort canker sores can cause and promote faster healing. You can also look for patches that treat canker sores. The patches relieve pain and cause the sore to dissolve faster.
If you use products from your local pharmacy and are still experiencing canker sores, you may want to visit your dentist. The dentist will prescribe an oral steroid. While you’ll likely feel relieved right away, the steroids could have side effects. Make sure that you talk about the risks with your dentist. Be sure to tell your dentist if you’re currently taking other medications or have health conditions that interact negatively with steroids.
For additional information and treatment options for helping canker sores, visit Mountain View Dental. Our comfortable office and professional staff look forward to answering your questions and meeting your dental needs. Schedule your appointment with us today.
