Canker Sores: Causes and Natural Remedies
Canker sores often seem to appear out of nowhere, but there’s usually a reason behind them. They can be triggered by stress, lack of sleep, or eating acidic foods. So, what can you do about them, especially if you prefer natural remedies over medication?
About one in five people experience canker sores. These uncomfortable, shallow lesions occur inside the mouth, making it hard to eat and causing irritation. While they usually go away on their own, some natural remedies can provide comfort and speed up recovery.
What Are Canker Sores?
The most common type of canker sore is called an aphthous ulcer, or a simple or minor canker sore. These small, shallow sores form inside the cheeks or lips, along the gums, or on the tongue. Women tend to experience these more often than men. Larger canker sores that last more than two weeks are called complex or major canker sores. While some types are more painful than others, none are contagious. An occasional minor canker sore doesn’t indicate any underlying health issue.
If you frequently get canker sores, they are large, or they persist, it could be due to a weak immune system, nutritional deficiencies, or celiac disease (caused by gluten intolerance). It’s important not to confuse canker sores with cold sores, also known as fever blisters. Cold sores are caused by the Herpes simplex virus and appear on or around the lips, nose, and chin. They are contagious, whereas canker sores are not.
Home Remedies for Canker Sores
Canker sores usually heal on their own in about a week. However, if the discomfort is too much and you want to heal faster, several natural remedies can help. These remedies not only speed up the healing process but also reduce inflammation and relieve discomfort.
Ozonated Olive Oil
Ozone is a natural molecule known for its disinfecting powers. Applying ozonated olive oil topically can soothe irritated tissue and repel harmful organisms, easing the discomfort of canker sores. Global Healing’s Skin Therapy is a certified organic ozonated olive oil paste made with pure oxygen and ozone that brings instant relief to swollen or irritated skin.
How to use: Apply a small amount of ozonated olive oil on a cotton swab and apply it to the surface of the canker sore three times daily.
Probiotics & Yogurt
The cooling, smooth texture of yogurt is a great topical pain reliever. It helps replenish good bacteria in your digestive tract, which can aid in healing the lesion. Your digestive system contains probiotic or healthy bacteria from your mouth to your large intestines. These bacteria help maintain a healthy balance in your body, including the oral ecosystem. If your mouth gets too acidic, you may end up with more sores. Ensuring optimal gut health means better oral health and fewer canker sores.
How to use: Eat one cup of coconut or almond milk yogurt daily for excellent gut health. If you don’t like yogurt, you can take a probiotic supplement. Look for one with 75 billion CFUs and multiple probiotic strains, such as Global Healing’s Ultimate Probiotic.
Vitamin B-Rich Foods
Eating foods rich in vitamin B, particularly B12 and B-9 (folate), may help with canker sores. Deficiencies in B12 and folate can increase your risk of getting canker sores. Ensuring you get enough of these vitamins can help. A healthy, plant-based diet that provides these important nutrients will keep your immune system balanced.
How to use: Good sources of folate include leafy green vegetables, beans, peas, lemons, and bananas. Vitamin B12 is mainly found in animal foods, so look for a plant-based supplement, such as our organic Vitamin B12. Ensuring you get enough essential vitamins is an excellent preventative measure.
Zinc
Scientists have linked recurring canker sores to zinc deficiency. Taking zinc regularly can boost the immune system and reduce the recurrence of canker sores by 50 to 100 percent.
How to use: If you have a canker sore, take zinc daily in the form of lozenges. A regular supplement of this essential mineral may also help.
Hydrogen Peroxide
An effective antiseptic, hydrogen peroxide can help reduce the number of harmful bacteria in your mouth, preventing mouth sores from developing secondary infections.
How to use: Mix a 3 percent hydrogen peroxide solution with an equal part of water. Dip a cotton swab into this mixture, then apply it to the surface of the canker sore. It may sting and bubble a little, but it’s very effective at killing germs! You can also gargle a mixture of ? cup hydrogen peroxide and ? cup of water with 1 teaspoon of salt and 1 teaspoon of baking soda.
Aloe Vera
The sap of the aloe vera plant acts as a natural antibiotic while also providing relief. Aloe gel contains aspirin-like salicylates, which reduce discomfort and swelling. Salicylic acid helps by forming a tougher layer on top of the sore, making it less sensitive. Aloe vera is extremely effective in soothing sores in the mouth’s soft tissue.
How to use: Apply a dab of food-grade aloe vera gel directly onto the canker sore using a cotton swab. You can also make a mouthwash using 2 tablespoons of aloe vera juice and 1 teaspoon of baking soda, mixed into ? cup of warm water. Swish the mixture in your mouth once daily.
Chamomile Tea
The anti-inflammatory properties of chamomile can help reduce the discomfort, redness, and swelling of canker sores. Whether you drink a cup of chamomile tea or use the tea bags, you will soon feel the soothing effects.
How to use: Apply a used, still-wet chamomile tea bag as a compress onto your canker sore. You can also swish your mouth with lukewarm chamomile tea 3 to 4 times daily.
Sage
A relative of the mint family, sage possesses antioxidant, astringent, and anti-microbial properties. It can help balance the flora in the mouth and support the overall immune system, aiding in the healing of canker sores.
How to use: Make a rinse for your mouth by mixing 2 teaspoons of dried sage into 1 cup of warm water. Swish the mixture inside your mouth for a minute or two, then spit it out.
Echinacea
The wound-healing and immune-boosting powers of echinacea can help heal canker sores or even prevent them from forming in the first place.
How to use: Mix 1 teaspoon of liquid echinacea with 1 teaspoon of warm water to form a mouth rinse. Gargle 3 times a day. You can also rinse with echinacea tea.
Raw Honey
Honey has outstanding antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. It is very effective at relieving pain and reducing the size and redness of canker sores.
How to use: Apply a small amount of raw, unpasteurized, unfiltered honey (preferably raw manuka honey) to the lesion 3 to 4 times daily.
Ice Chips
While ice chips won’t heal your sore any faster, they can help ease and numb the discomfort and reduce swelling when applied to a canker sore.
How to use: Do not place the ice directly onto a canker sore. Wrap it in a paper towel and apply it to the affected area.
Raw Apple Cider Vinegar
The acetic acid in organic raw apple cider vinegar has natural antibiotic properties. It deters harmful bacteria in the mouth and promotes a healthy microbiota in your body. Use with caution since the acid may irritate canker sores in some people.
How to use: Mix equal parts warm water with apple cider vinegar to make a mouth rinse. Gargle with it once per day to speed up healing.
Goldthread
The goldthread plant, often referred to as “canker root,” was used by early settlers to treat mouth sores. It contains a compound called berberine, which has strong antibacterial qualities.
How to use: Add 1 teaspoon of dried goldthread root to 1 cup of boiling water and let it simmer for 20 minutes. Use the resulting mixture as a mouth rinse.
Deglycyrrhizinated Licorice (DGL)
Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) extract can rapidly heal mucous membranes. Some people have experienced up to 75 percent improvement of canker sores within one day. Licorice in its natural state contains glycyrrhizin, which can cause blood pressure elevation in some cases, so many people prefer deglycyrrhizinated licorice or DGL.
How to use: DGL comes in powder or tablets. Mix a tiny amount of water with the DGL powder and apply it topically to your mouth sore.
Clove Oil
Cloves contain a substance called eugenol that’s well-known for its numbing and antimicrobial properties. Clove oil has been used traditionally for oral health, including toothache, bad breath, and other mouth concerns.
How to use: Apply a drop of pure clove oil directly to the canker sore using a cotton swab. You will feel a numbing sensation shortly after application.
General Tips to Follow With Canker Sores
Avoid carbonated drinks: Sugar, corn syrup, and phosphoric acid in carbonated beverages can raise the pH in your mouth and promote inflammation, leading to canker sores.
Avoid acidic, spicy, and salty foods: Salty chips, pretzels, acidic fruits like tomatoes, strawberries, and pineapples, and spicy foods can aggravate canker sores.
Minimize stress: Reducing stress can lower your likelihood of getting a canker sore. Try meditation or yoga, and practice deep breathing.
Take nutritional supplements: Vitamin C supplements.
