Canker sores.Just the name is enough to make you shudder.
But you don’t have to wait them out in agony.
What is a canker sore?
As much as it sounds like something infectious and awful, a canker sore isn’t really that serious.
Also known asaphthous ulcers1in medical terms, these nuisances are actually just small lesions that appear in the mouth.
Theyre usually white or yellow, surrounded by a red ring in an oval or circle shape.
Thank goodness for small favors, right?
(If you do have cold sores, here are21 natural ways to treat them.)
3 types of canker sores.
Thethree main typesare minor, major and herpetiform sores.
Minor canker sores
These are just what they sound likeminor and mild, as canker sores go.
They’re typically small and oval-shaped and they usually heal on their own in a week or two.
These are by far the most common kind of canker sore and the kind you’ve probably experienced yourself.
The most meaningful differences between minor and major canker sores are the level of discomfort and healing time involved.
Major canker sores can be very painful and make basic things like eating difficult.
This form of canker sore is very rare and usually something that affects older patients.
What causes canker sores?
There are several possible culprits.
“People withceliac diseasealso tend to get them before they realize they have celiac.”
18 ways to get rid of canker sores fast.
But we’re not talking about those harsh drugstore treatments.
Salt water mouth rinse
One of the simplest and most effective options?
Create the solution by dissolving 1 teaspoon of salt into 12 cup of warm water.
Swish the salt water around in your mouth for 30 seconds, then spit.
The salt water works to speed healing time by drying out the canker sore.
Instead of drying out the sore, the baking soda is thought to restore pH balance andreduce inflammation.
Ice cubes
Possibly the simplest canker sore treatment ever:ice.
This method is super easy.
Ice helps withinflammation, which can speed healing, and will help numb the area,reducing pain.
Honey
We probably don’t have to convince you to try this sweet treatment.
Basically, it’s a triple threat.
Which punch in of honey is best?
Fortunately, high-quality options exist, likethese organic zinc lozengesthat also contain immune-boostingelderberry extract.
Chamomile
Chamomileisn’t just for calming yourself down for a good night’s sleep.
“Probioticscan rebuild mouth flora, too, which also helps with prevention,” says Dr. Gandhi.
ACV mouth rinse
Apple cider vinegaris known to haveanti-inflammatory7properties and has been shown to helpkill bacteria8.
Both of these traits may make ACV a viable treatment for canker sores.
You’ll want to do this daily until pain subsides.
Sage
Sageisn’t justsomething you burn to rid your space of bad vibes.
It’s been used for centuries to treat everything fromdigestive problems to memory loss and depression.
One of sage’s well-established uses is totreat mouth sores.
Try it out in the form of a goldenseal mouth rinse.
Mix and gargle for about 30 seconds, then spit.
Repeat this twice a day until symptoms improve.
To create the paste, mix a small amount of alum powder with a drop or two of water.
Then, put the paste on the sore for at least a minute before rinsing.
Thealum powder10works by reducing the size of the sore and drying it out, which helps you heal faster.
