Natural Remedies to Cure Mouth Ulcers: Causes and Treatment

Mouth ulcers (mouth sores) are painful, round ulcers that develop on the linings of the cheeks and lips, the tongue or the gums. They’re sensitive to the touch and often cause a sharp, stinging pain. These are, usually, white, yellow, red or even grey in colour.

Mouth ulcers, also known as oral ulcers, aphthous ulcers, or canker sores. People who have experienced mouth ulcers know the discomfort and pain that this condition can cause. The pain from a mouth ulcer is caused because the nerves just below the surface of the lining of the mouth become exposed.

Mouth ulcers usually heal on their own within 1 to 2 weeks, but if you get mouth ulcers that last longer than 3 weeks, or they recur regularly, you should seek medical attention  not just because they are painful and uncomfortable , but because they can be the first sign of Mouth Cancer.

These painful lesions can indeed turn eating or chewing food into quite an ordeal. but where do they come from, and how do we get rid of them? Here is a list of 6 tips that can help you cure and prevent mouth ulcer.

What causes mouth ulcers?

Mouth ulcers are not contagious. These are common, and  anyone can get them no matter how healthy they are. The exact reason of mouth ulcers is still not known, but there are several factors that can contribute to their appearance.

Foods and Drinks

Mouth ulcers may be triggered by acids in certain foods like Citrus fruits and other foods high in acidity or spice. Beside citrus, benzoic acid which is found in tomatoes, chocolate and cola, is a compound which commonly triggers ulcers in susceptible individuals.

Trauma or Tissue Damage

One factor which can cause mouth ulcers in oral trauma. This can be due to damage, to the inner lining of your cheeks - for instance, you could accidentally have bitten the lining or scratched it with your toothbrush or a sharp foodstuff within your mouth  causing mouth ulcers. 

Vitamin Deficiencies

A deficiency in B12 and iron, folate or zinc can also increase your likelihood of getting a mouth ulcer as it affects the production of red blood cells which weakens the  immune system that cause ulcers to form.

Genetic factors

Some people are genetically predisposed to ulcers and get crops of recurrent ulcers throughout their life.

Smoking

If you smoke, this could also risk your chance as smoking irritates the inside of your mouth, which can cause mouth ulcer. You may also get mouth ulcers immediately after quitting smoking ( which is temporary).

Treating your mouth ulcer

Mouth ulcers do heal naturally, but unfortunately, this can take a little bit of time, sometimes several days.  Here are 6 super effective food that might help you reduce the irritation cause by ulcer and could help healing.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Apply cider vinegar are super effective, thanks to its goodness, whose acidity and anti-bacterial properties that will kill the germs which caused the ulcer in the first place. Take a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar and mix it with half a cup of warm water. Take this solution inside your mouth and rinse with it. Do this twice a day till the swelling subsides. Next time you are at the grocer’s, pick up a bottle of apple cider vinegar. 

Salt

Brush gently around the ulcer as bristles on an ulcer can be very painful so be extra careful when brushing. You can also rinse your mouth with salt. Put a little bit of salt in a glass of warm water and swish it inside your mouth, covering every corner. Then rinse with plain water. Try this as many times a day as possible. Rinsing your mouth with saltwater can be very effective against the germs and bacteria causing mouth ulcers.

Honey

Honey has many beneficial properties in it. As we all know, honey has anti-bacterial properties. Plus it can be a good natural emollient. Acidity and viscosity of honey act as protective barriers against pathogens and prevent the wound from aggravating. Apply honey on the ulcers and let it remain. However, it is essential that you keep applying honey on the ulcer spots after every few hours till you feel that the swelling is diminishing and it’s feeling less painful.

Aloe vera

We all know about the myriad benefits of aloe vera for our skin. Believe it or not, aloe vera has cleansing and antiseptic properties which help in providing you with almost instant relief. Apply a small amount of naturally  aloe vera juice  on the ulcer.

Turmeric

Turmeric is an antiseptic, which is used in many ayurvedic medicine and also used in almost all Indian dishes. Turmeric is a wonderful antidote to mouth ulcers. Due to its antiseptic, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory  properties it can be super effective in healing mouth ulcer. To apply this take a little amount of turmeric powder and some water and make a smooth paste. Apply this on ulcer and wait for a couple of minutes, and then rinse it. Apply this paste on the ulcers every morning and evening. You might start noticing the difference immediately.

Coconut

 Be it the coconut oil, water or milk, all of them have significant beneficial effects in curing mouth ulcers.  Coconut oil is used in very few places so very few people are aware of its healing properties when it comes to mouth ulcers. Simply apply a bit of coconut oil on the surface of the ulcer and let it stay on.  Or use the coconut milk to gargle when you are suffering from mouth ulcers. Virgin coconut oil exhibits antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal properties that can help to promote overall health.

Try these home remedies the next time you develop mouth ulcers. However if you get mouth ulcers that last longer than 3 weeks consult you doctor as this could be first sign of mouth cancer. If you are new to our blog and like our Information please subscribe us and follow us and you will be notified everytime when we post something new.

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