Canker Sores: Causes and Treatments

Canker sores are a pain. Everyone's had one of those small sores in their mouth at some point. These can show up on the gums, soft palate, tongue or even inside the cheeks or lips.

We know these small painful sores as canker sores, but they are actually small ulcers called aphthous ulcers. They aren't cold sores, which appear on the outside of the mouth, and they are not contagious.

A canker sore usually goes away within one to three weeks. The pain typically decreases after a few days. Additionally, they are usually smaller than one centimeter in diameter, but can be larger.

Exact causes of canker sores haven't been pinpointed but many factors may play a role, including some kind of trauma to the mouth (such as accidentally biting the tongue or cheek). Stress, nutritional deficiencies, allergies to certain foods and hormonal changes are all suspected causes. Genetics, medical conditions, or even certain medications like anti-inflammatories could cause canker sores.

Fortunately, there are many home remedies that help relieve the discomfort caused by canker sores. Using antacids as a mouth rinse can help with the pain and promote healing. Baking soda can be used in a similar fashion several times a day. This may help because it reduces the amount of bacteria in your mouth.

Copper sulfate is an astringent that was once known as "lunar caustic". This product will sting, but will also help get rid of canker sores fast. This can be hard to come by though, as it is usually ordered from chemical supply companies.

Grapefruit seed extract has great disinfectant and antimicrobial properties. A few drops in a glass of water makes an excellent mouthwash to use for canker sores.

Hydrogen peroxide is often used for cuts, but it can be used for canker sores as well. Use it like mouthwash but don't swallow. Use it sparingly, as overuse has the possibility of killing good bacteria. This could cause other problems.

Salt water or tea are common canker sore treatments. The salt water draws fluid away from the sore so that it can heal, while tea serves as an astringent.

Several herbal remedies may help with canker sores as well, including burdock, goldenseal, lady's mantle, myrrh, or sage.

Prevention can be trickier than treatment, since the cause isn't the same for everyone. It is recommended that you try to figure out what is your personal trigger for canker sores - stress, acidic food, etc. Avoiding these triggers may help you have less canker sores in the end.

Sources:
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/canker-sore/DS00354
http://www.animated-teeth.com/canker_sores/t1_canker_sores.htm
http://www.health911.com/remedies/rem_cank.htm