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Mouth sores or ulcers are an indication of certain imbalances in your body like nutritional deficiencies, hormonal imbalances and a few other causes like bacterial infections, poor dental hygiene, smoking, trauma, stress, etc. Most often, they appear on soft tissues like gums, tongue, soft palate, lips and on the sides of the cheeks, making chewing, drinking and even talking excruciatingly painful for many.
However, if you can identify the underlying cause, it is not difficult to treat them using simple home remedies. Read on to find out ways of protecting yourself from mouth sores and your wallet from spending a lot on over-the-counter medicines available treating mouth sores.
Tips To Cure Mouth Ulcers Naturally
1. Foods Rich In Vitamin B Complex
Consumption of vegetables and fruits that have a high content of vitamin B like green leafy vegetables, bananas, citrus fruits and cereals, wheat grains, etc., have proven very effective for treating mouth ulcers. Vitamin B12 and folic acid promotes the production of red blood cells that in turn help the immune system in strengthening your immune system for fighting bacterial or viral infections that are responsible for causing mouth ulcers.
Other vitamins like vitamin B2 or riboflavin aids in the repair of connective tissue that makes up the skin and the mucous membrane enclosing sores thereby, healing and preventing inflammation that leads to mouth sores. Also, a daily intake of a multi-vitamin supplement containing the recommended dosage of B-complex vitamins can help in the treatment of mouth sores.
2. Increase Your Body’s Intake Of Vitamin C And Iron
Mouth sores are mostly aggravated by lack of vitamin C and iron that are essential for repairing the mucous membrane, thus preventing the exposure of nerves, which is the primary cause of pain related to mouth sores. Vitamin C serves as a precursor of collagen that is needed by the body for repairing the skin surrounding the mouth sores.
Iron deficiency leads to anemia, which in turn deprives the body of enough red blood cells and erythrocytes, capable of fighting against the causes of mouth sores. Hence, drink lots of orange juices and consume melons, bananas, dark green vegetables, beet roots, etc. that are rich in iron and vitamin C for preventing recurrent mouth ulcers. Alternatively, you can also take over-the counter vitamin and iron supplements to make up for the deficiency.
3. Apply Honey
Honey has a very ancient history of healing mouth infections and skin infections. Scientists have reported that honey also limits the growth of bacteria, which exacerbates the pain associated with mouth sores. . Either, consume a teaspoon of honey or apply honey on the affected area to repair the lining of the skin surrounding mouth ulcers. To make this remedy more effective, mix a pinch of turmeric powder with honey and apply this paste on the affected area.
4. Apply Salt Water
Salt is a very potent dehydrator that draws out the fluid from the sores thereby, killing the bacteria harboring the sores, which are responsible for causing mouth ulcers. Make saline water by dissolving a teaspoon of salt in water and rinse your mouth using this solution. Applying salt directly on the ulcer for 3-4 times a day can burn a little but it helps to achieve a speedy recovery from mouth ulcers.
5. Basil Leaves
Boil basil leaves in water and consume the filtered water or simply chew 4-5 basil leaves with water 2-3 times in a day. You can also apply the paste of basil leaves on the affected area to heal mouth sores. Not only will you observe a massive difference in the appearance of the sores, but this remedy also aids in easing the pain and the discomfort associated with mouth sores. Besides, it also helps you to get rid of the bad smell, accompanied with mouth sores.
6. Coconut Oil
Recent studies have shown that coconut oil is capable of killing certain types of bacteria that are primarily responsible for causing mouth sores. Rub some oil gently on the affected areas 2-3 times in a day. Also, one can extract some coconut milk and gargle with it 3-4 times a day to treat mouth sores.
7. Raw Salad
Eat raw salad containing green vegetables and fruits rich in vitamin B, vitamin C and iron. Raw onions possess immense healing properties through their high content of sulfur that helps in curing mouth ulcers. Also, green vegetables provide you with essential fiber that is required for mitigating the symptoms of digestive troubles and constipation, both of which can cause mouth ulcers.
8. Replace Your Snacks With Fruits
Instead of having spicy and crunchy foods like chips and dried bread for snacks, include fruits like bananas, apples and papayas in your diet. These fruits soothe and aid in achieving a faster recovery from mouth sores. They also provide you with great relief from the burning sensation and the pain associated with mouth sores. A more effective way of treating ulcers is to mix bananas with yogurt and consume it first thing in the morning, to prevent re-occurrences of mouth sores.
9. Gargle Using Fenugreek Leaves
Fenugreek has been used since time immemorial for assisting in the treatment of mouth sores and to prevent recurrent sores. Boil two cups of water and add fenugreek leaves or a cup of fenugreek seeds to it. Strain the water and gargle using this mixture, while it is still warm for about 2-3 times in a day.
10. Maintain A Good Oral Hygiene
Brush your teeth twice a day and floss regularly. Use natural mouth washes to kill the bacteria inhibiting your mouth sores. Mix a little tea tree oil with warm water and gargle with it twice a day or before going to bed. Make sure that you don’t drink the tea tree oil as it can be toxic when consumed orally. A safer alternative is to mix turmeric in water and gargle using this mixture, which not only serves as an antiseptic but also acts as a cooling agent for relieving mouth ulcers.
11. Garlic
Rub a raw garlic or garlic paste to relieve mouth soreness. Even though, it stings for a while, it’s one of the fastest ways of treating mouth ulcers. It exerts its anti-inflammatory action, which enables it to block prostaglandins, responsible for transmitting pain signals, thereby acting as a potent analgesic to relief pain caused by mouth sores. It also helps to beat the bad breath induced by mouth ulcers.
Despite trying these home remedies, if you do not experience a change in about 3-4 days, then you should seek medical advice or consult a dentist to identify the right cause and treat your mouth sores, using proper medications.
Caution: Please use Home Remedies after Proper Research and Guidance. You accept that you are following any advice at your own risk and will properly research or consult healthcare professional.