Canker Sore Medicines: Swish & Swallow or Swish & Spit?

Racheline Maltese
Many canker sore medications come in a liquid form that can be swished around the mouth and then either swallowed or spit out. Whether you should swallow or spit canker sore medication depends entirely on the medication involved and your doctor's advice.

Remedies that are meant merely to address canker sores on a topical basis should be spit out. Even though all canker sore remedies contain ingredients that are safe for at least some limited degree of ingestion (After all, they are going in your mouth!), some may cause stomach upset or other types of problems if swallowed in their entirety. When in doubt, swishing and spitting is always the safer and more appropriate option when it comes to canker sore medication.

Some medications for canker sores are, however, meant to be swished and swallowed. These are generally prescription canker sore medications, and that includes a pain relief or anti-inflammatory option that is activated via the digestive track. If a canker sore medication needs to be swallowed to achieve its maximum efficiency, your doctor or pharmacist will let you know. As with all medications, be sure to ask your doctor, dentist or pharmacist if you are unclear on just how you should use your canker sore medication.

Given the choice though, which type of canker sore remedy is right for you? Selecting the right canker sore treatment with your doctor will depend on a number of factors, including the severity of your symptoms and what type of medication proves to give you the most effective relief. For canker sore situations that occur in the back of the mouth and around the tonsils and throat, a swish-and-swallow option will probably be easier. Additionally, swish-and-swallow options are usually better for children who are more prone to swallowing than spitting when brushing their teeth.

Swish-and-swallow canker sore medication options are also better for people on the go or with excessively busy schedules, as these treatments usually involve less restriction on how soon after using one can eat or drink. Additionally, swish-and-swallow canker sore medications have the benefit of being able to be used regardless of location. (Pausing to swish in public is one thing, but spitting in public -- a definite no-no.)

Remember that there are many types of canker sore medications available. If one doesn't work for you, another might. If both swish-and-spit and swish-and-swallow canker sore medications don't provide you the comfort and healing you're looking for, investigating prescription, over-the-counter and even natural-toothpaste canker sore remedies might be your next best choice.

Many canker sore medications come in a liquid form that can

be swished around the mouth and then either swallowed or spit out. Whether you

should swallow or spit canker sore medication depends entirely on the

medication involved and your doctor's advice.

Remedies that are meant merely to address canker sores on a topical basis

should be spit out. Even though all canker sore remedies contain ingredients

that are safe for at least some limited degree of ingestion (After all, they

are going in your mouth!), some may cause stomach upset or other types of

problems if swallowed in their entirety. When in doubt, swishing and spitting

is always the safer and more appropriate option when it comes to canker sore

medication.

Some medications for canker sores are, however, meant to be swished and

swallowed. These are generally prescription canker sore medications, and that

includes a pain relief or anti-inflammatory option that is activated via the

digestive track. If a canker sore medication needs to be swallowed to achieve

its maximum efficiency, your doctor or pharmacist will let you know. As with

all medications, be sure to ask your doctor, dentist or pharmacist if you are

unclear on just how you should use your canker sore medication.

Given the choice though, which type of canker sore remedy is right for you?

Selecting the right canker sore treatment with your doctor will depend on a

number of factors, including the severity of your symptoms and what type of

medication proves to give you the most effective relief. For canker sore

situations that occur in the back of the mouth and around the tonsils and

throat, a swish-and-swallow option will probably be easier. Additionally,

swish-and-swallow options are usually better for children who are more prone to

swallowing than spitting when brushing their teeth.

Swish-and-swallow canker sore medication options are also better for people on

the go or with excessively busy schedules, as these treatments usually involve

less restriction on how soon after using one can eat or drink. Additionally,

swish-and-swallow canker sore medications have the benefit of being able to be

used regardless of location. (Pausing to swish in public is one thing, but

spitting in public -- a definite no-no.)

Remember that there are many types of canker sore medications available. If one

doesn't work for you, another might. If both swish-and-spit and swish-and-swallow

canker sore medications don't provide you the comfort and healing you're

looking for, investigating prescription, over-the-counter and even natural-toothpaste

canker sore remedies might be your next best choice.

Published by Racheline Maltese

Racheline is an actor, writer and director with a journalism BA from GWU; she studied at the Atlantic Theater Company and NIDA. She lives in NYC with her partner and is the author of The Book of Harry Potte...  View profile

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