What is a mouth ulcer ?
A mouth ulcer is an open sore in the mouth, or rarely a break in the mucous membrane, or the epithelium on the lips/surrounding the mouth. [Source: Wikipedia]
What causes mouth ulcers ?
Causes of mouth ulcers are many. Mostly it is due to physical abrasion, eating food that is acidic, or due to an infection.
Accordingly, mouth ulcers can be classified into 2 kinds.
- Cold sores – These are blisters in or around the mouth caused due to some viral infection.
- Canker sores – These are the more common types and are caused due to physical abrasion or eating something acidic.
If the mouth ulcer you have is a cold sore, the best thing to do is to consult your doctor. A cold sore may be contagious.
This article provides remedies for mouth ulcers that are canker sores.
Canker sores are not contagious like cold sores. And you can easily cure canker sores using home remedies. However, if you did want to use medication for a cold sore then there are natural health products from places like Quantum Health (visit here) that may help to soothe the symptoms.
Remedies for mouth ulcers (Canker sores)
The following are some of the possible cures for mouth ulcers. And I am speaking through experience. I have tried all these remedies and can vouch for their usefulness in curing canker sores.
1. Gargling with salt water
This (in my opinion) is one of the most effective home remedies for curing canker sores (mouth ulcers).
Take a cup of warm water. To it add a teaspoon of salt and stir briskly till all the salt is dissolved.
Now rinse your mouth with this warm salt water.
Note: When the salt water comes in contact with the mouth ulcer, it will pain terribly. But don’t worry, it is good for you.
Do this first thing in the morning and repeat each time after you have any food.
Chances are in a single day, you will start feeling better. And the mouth ulcers will be completely gone after a few days.
2. Use Metronidazole dental gel
Metronidazole dental gel (Metrogyl DG gel) is a water soluble gel used among other things to remove dental infection of bacterial origin. My doctor (ENT specialist) prescribed this gel to me when I once visited her with an acute case of mouth ulcer. And it gave me some relief.
I was told to dab a bit of this gel directly on the ulcer in my mouth and keep it pressed for 10 minutes. After which, I may rinse my mouth with water.
When your spit comes in contact with the gel, you will start salivating.
I am told, Metrogyl doesn’t act on the mouth ulcer directly. It is meant to destroy bacteria that thrive without oxygen.
And for me, dabbing the gel also had a slight pain numbing effect.
3. Take a dose of B-Complex Forte tablets
In the past, taking a dose (10 tablets – one each day) of “B-Complex Forte with Vitamin C” tablets have cured me of my mouth ulcer. This is especially true when the mouth ulcer is caused by eating an acidic fruit or eating certain fried items like banana chips.
Of the three cures for mouth ulcers I have listed above, the best is the first one namely rinsing your mouth with salt water. This is sure to cure you of your mouth ulcers (canker sores).
Reference and Source: A Couple Of Remedies For Mouth Ulcers
