Mouth

How to Get Rid of a Mouth Ulcer Fast, on Tongue, Inside Cheek, Gum, Remedies & Treatment

July 25, 2018

A mouth ulcer is a sore that can appear inside cheeks or lips, on the tongue, base of gum or on the soft palate. They characterized by irritation or a burning sensation that may be accompanied by other symptoms. They make chewing food, drinking or talking uncomfortable. In this post, we have insights on how to get rid of a mouth ulcer fast using natural home remedies and other Treatment options.

Signs and Symptoms of a Mouth Ulcer

How to get rid of a sore inside mouth

Mouth ulcer normally takes 7 to 10 days to clear. However, during this period, you are likely to experience various symptoms that include:

The appearance of round sores inside the mouth.
White or gray sores in the mouth surrounded by a red margin.
The skin surrounding the sore become swollen.
Tenderness in the affected area.
Inflammation, irritation or a burning sensation in the affected areas especially when eating hot, spicy or salty foods.
Pain on the tongue, inside cheeks or soft palate when chewing food, brushing or cleaning your mouth.

When suffering from severe mouth ulcers, you may experience other symptoms like fever, swollen lymph nodes, loss of appetite and generally feeling unwell.

Causes of a Mouth Ulcer

Mouth ulcers are also known as canker sores, they normally cause painful sores to appear inside the mouth. Small ulcers normally clear on their own within 1 to 2 weeks without causing scarring. On the other hand, large sores may take up to 6 weeks to heal and can cause scarring.

The exact cause of canker sores is unknown, however, there are various factors that can trigger the appearance of these sores in your mouth. They include:

Minor Injuries

Minor injuries inside the mouth that result from accidentally biting the tongue or inside the lips, burns from hot foods, ill-fitting dentures, and brushing. The injuries can cause a sore to develop on the tongue, inside the cheeks, lips, and below the gums.

Emotional Stress

Emotional stress can also trigger the appearance of ulcers in your mouth. Emotional stress may emanate from family issues, the pressure at work, and life challenges among others.

Hormonal Changes

Hormonal fluctuation in your body during menstruation, pregnancy or menopause can also trigger canker sores to develop in your mouth. They normally cause irritation or a burning sensation, especially when taking hot, salty, or spicy foods.

Allergic Reactions

An allergic reaction due to allergens in certain foods, oral care products, and drugs or medication can also trigger an outbreak of ulcers in your mouth. An allergic reaction is normally accompanied by other symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, headache, swollen lymph nodes, runny nose, and skin rashes among others.

Allergies To Certain Bacteria in Mouth

Mouth contain different types of bacteria, an allergy to some can risk the appearance of canker sores on different parts of the mouth.

Deficiency of Certain Vitamins and Minerals

Consuming a diet that lacks vitamin B-12, iron or folic acid can lead to a deficiency in your body. Other factors like intestinal disorders and excessive consumption of alcohol can interfere with proper absorption of these vitamins and minerals into your body.

Smoking

Smoking tobacco can also trigger canker sores in your mouth. Tobacco smoke contains toxins that may cause an eruption of small bumps on different parts of the mouth. The bumps burst to ooze and form sores. Smoking also increases the risk of developing serious conditions like oral cancer that is characterized by mouth ulcers.

Toothpaste that Contains Sodium Lauryl Sulfate

Mouth ulcers can also develop as a result of using toothpaste or a mouthwash that contain sodium lauryl sulfate. This compound can react with mouth lining to cause sores. Avoiding the use of a toothpaste containing this ingredient may an effective way on how to get rid of a mouth ulcers caused by sodium lauryl sulfate.

Gastrointestinal Tract Diseases

Gastrointestinal tract comprises of mouth, esophagus, stomach, and intestines among others. Therefore, gastrointestinal tract disorders like acid reflux can cause the acidic stomach content to be thrown up into the esophagus and mouth. This can cause a heart bun as well as triggering sores in the mouth.

Autoimmune Disorders

The function of the immune system to defend the body against infections or invading microorganisms. However, is some cases, the immune system may attack the body cells and tissues to cause autoimmune disorders. Most of these diseases are characterized by mouth ulcers, dizziness, and fatigue.

Weak Immune System

The weak immune system may result from various conditions such as HIV/AIDS, diabetes, cold, flue, and organ transplant among others. Therefore, you are likely to develop sores in your mouth when suffering from these conditions.

Reaction to Certain Medication or Drugs

There are various drugs or medication that can trigger ulcers in your mouth. Some of them include aspirin, oral nicotine, chemotherapy medicines, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, penicillamine, immunosuppressant’s, sulfa drugs, antibiotics, antiretroviral, vasodilators and protease inhibitors.

Oral Cancer

Oral cancer can affect different parts of your mouth that include inside cheeks, lips, hard palate, salivary glands, soft palate, uvula, gums, tonsils, on the surface and under the tongue. It causes abnormal growth of cells in the affected tissues or organs. This condition can also result in canker sores inside the mouth.

How to Get Rid of a Mouth Ulcer Fast

Canker sore treatment

Mouth ulcers normally take some time to heal. However, there are various things you can do to alleviate the pain fast, speed up the healing process and minimize the chances of recurring. Some of the tips include the following:

Take over the counter painkillers to alleviate the pain.
Eat a balanced diet that contains plenty of fruits and vegetables to prevent vitamin deficiency.
Take vitamin and iron supplements.
Be gentle and use a soft-bristle brush when brushing your mouth to prevent new injuries to your mouth.
Eat soft foods and drinks that do not irritate the sores.
Avoid taking hot, spicy, salty or acidic foods. They may cause irritation.
Keep your body hydrated by taking plenty of water.
Take enough time to sleep. Avoid factors that may cause emotional stress
Avoid using a toothpaste or a mouthwash containing sodium lauryl sulfate.
Refrain from eating rough or crunchy foods like a crisp.
Don’t use a chewing gum until when the sores will have healed completely.
Avoid foods like nuts, eggs, cheese and others that may be causing an allergic reaction.
Eat healthily and exercise regularly to improve your immune system.
Improve your oral care practices. Brush your teeth after every meal and floss regularly.
Consult your doctor in case you are taking medications that cause a reaction.

Conditions like oral cancer require medical treatment to heal. Therefore, it is important to visit your health care provider when having sores in your mouth that won’t heal easily.

How to Get Rid of a Mouth Ulcer Naturally

To relieve itchiness and other symptoms associated with mouth ulcers, there are various home remedies you can use. Most of them contain different properties that treat the sores. Some of them are readily available in your kitchen while others can be obtained from a natural drug store within your location. They include:

Ice

Ice helps to numb pain, irritation, or a burning sensation that results from mouth ulcers. This remedy is effective when used on the onset of symptoms. It also constricts blood capillaries on the affected area. This prevents the possibility of bleeding.

How to use:

Tie a small piece of ice in a clean washcloth.
Place it over the affected area in your mouth.
Allow it to stay for 3 minutes
Repeat the remedy several times a day or whenever you feel the pain.

Sea Salt Water

Sea salt is also found to provide a great relief from mouth sores. It contains both anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties. This help to kill the bacteria that might infect the sores as well as alleviating irritation, burning sensation or inflammation.

How to use:

Add 1 tablespoon of sea salt in a glass of warm water and stir thoroughly to mix.
Rinse your mouth using the solution.
Repeat this exercise twice daily until when the sores are healed.

Aloe Vera

Apart from using Aloe Vera for external skin disorders treatment, it can also be used to treat internal body conditions like mouth sores. It contains antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal properties that are important in the treatment of various body conditions. It alleviates pain while promoting the healing process. It also helps to treat other mouth conditions like cold sores and gingivitis.

How to use:

Pluck a fresh Aloe Vera leaf from its plant and extract gel from it.
Mix the gel with some water and use it as a mouthwash.
Repeat the remedy twice daily

Honey

Honey was used from ancient times in the treatment of various body condition including mouth sores. It is a great remedy on how to get rid of a mouth ulcer due to its antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. It also helps to speed up the healing process of the sores.

How to use:

Soak a cotton ball in the bowl of honey.
Use it to dab on the sores
Repeat the remedy twice or thrice a day.

Baking Soda

Baking soda, better known as sodium bicarbonate is an effective remedy for mouth sores, especially those that result from acidic foods and drinks. It helps to restore the pH of the mouth by neutralizing the acid. It also helps to alleviate inflammation that results from the sores.

How to Get Rid of a Mouth Ulcer Treatment

Mouth ulcers normally clear on their own within 2 weeks without treatment. However, if you are experiencing excessive pain or recurrent mouth ulcers, you may require a medical treatment to alleviate the irritation, swelling, and other symptoms. Some of the treatment include: