What is Mouth Ulcers: Causes, Symptoms, Home Remedies

What is Mouth Ulcers

Mouth ulcers also are known as Aphthous ulcer. They appear inside the mouth on the cheek, soft palate and tongue.
These sores may be smaller that clear in a few days to few weeks. They may be big and deep with an irregular border and raised borders that take several weeks to heal up. There may be a cluster of several pin sized small ulcers.
Usually, these mouth ulcers are white with red, raised borders, but may be gray in color. Rarely in the case of several mouth ulcers, there may be fever, weakness and swollen lymph nodes.

What are the Cause of Mouth Ulcer:

There is no exact known cause of ulcer but following causes are known to trigger the condition:

1. Stress
2. Constipation
3. Indigestion.
4. Tissue injury.
5. Vitamin B complex, folic acid and iron deficiency
6. Certain foods such as citrus foods or spicy food.
7. Ill-fitted dentures and braces.
8. Medications such as painkillers and beta-blockers.
9. Cheek bites.
10. Acidity.

Although these mouth ulcers have mostly healed on their on own with time, but they may cause difficulty in drinking, brushing and speaking. Mouth ulcers are very common, but irritating.

What are the Symptoms of Mouth Ulcer:

Below are a few quick and easy homemade remedies to relive the symptoms of mouth ulcer:

1. Rinse with saline- Take a glass of warm water and add to it 2 teaspoons of salt. Mix the ingredients well. Sip the solution and hold it in the mouth for a few minutes. Swish the solution from one side to another in the mouth and then spit in the sink. Repeat this process 3 to 4 times in a day to relieve the symptoms of mouth ulcer. Remember not to drink this solution or it may cause dehydration.

   Rinse with saline-

2. Application of the honey- Honey acts as a natural humectant that prevents dehydration by retaining the moisture. It is anti-microbial and promotes healing. Take Few drops of honey and apply it on the sores. You may also mix honey with a pinch of turmeric powder before applying it on your sore. Although this may burn a little for a few minutes, but after some time, you will find it effective to relieve the symptoms of the mouth ulcer. Repeat this until your ulcer heals.

3. Licorice root- Take few Licorice roots, crush and soak them in 2 cups of water. Wait for 3 hours and rinse your mouth 4 to 5 times in a day to relieve the symptoms of mouth ulcer and to heal them.

   licorice root remedy for mouth ulcer

4. Rinse with baking soda- Take a pinch of baking soda and add it into a glass of warm water. Now rinse your mouth 2 to 3 times in a day. This not only wards off the bacterias from the mouth, but neutralizes acids, reduces inflammation and relieves the symptoms of mouth ulcer. Alternately, you may also make a thin paste by adding 1 tablespoon water to a teaspoon of baking soda. Apply this paste to the affected area 4 to5 times in a day.

5. Coriander seeds- Owing to its anti-inflammatory properties Coriander seeds are very effective to relieve symptoms of mouth ulcer. Boil some coriander seeds in 1 cup of water, strain the preparation and cool it. Rinse your mouth with this infusion and repeat this process 4 to 5 times in a day.

6. 3 percent hydrogen peroxide- Mix water and 3 percent hydrogen peroxide in equal amounts. Rinse your mouth with this solution 3 times in a day.
   Remember not to swallow it.
7. Ice cubes or ice chips- Suck ice cubes to reduce inflammation, swelling and relieve the symptoms of mouth ulcer by causing numbness. You may also take sips of cold water and hold it in your mouth for a few minutes.

   Ice cubes or ice chips

8. Lemon to relieve symptoms of mouth ulcer- Just cut a lemon in two halves and directly apply it on the sore. This may sting and burn at first, but then it becomes numb. You may apply honey at the end.

   Take half teaspoon of baking soda and add a teaspoon lemon juice, half teaspoon honey and 2 teaspoon water to it. Mix all ingredients and then apply it on the ulcers 2 times in a day. Repeat this for a few days to heal the ulcer.

9. Aloe Vera gel- Aloe Vera is antibacterial, antiviral and anti-fungal- Extract, Aloe Vera gel from the plant and on the affected area to relieve symptoms of mouth ulcer and promotes its healing.

   Aloe Vera gel-

10. Basil leaves- Owing medicinal properties chewing basil leaves 2 to 3 times a day is found effective in healing the ulcers.
11. Coconut- You may drink coconut water or eat dry coconut to treat and relieve the symptoms of the mouth ulcers. You may also apply coconut oil to the affected area to reduce the pain.

Next time whenever you have mouth ulcers, try any of the above-mentioned home remedies to relieve the symptoms of mouth ulcer. Prevention is always better than cure.

Ways to Prevent Mouth Ulcers:

Below are few things to keep in mind in order to prevent mouth ulcers:

1. Avoid spicy, fatty and acidic foods.
2. Eat green leafy vegetables that are rich in vitamin and minerals.
3. Maintain oral hygiene.
4. Eat a diet rich in fiber to avoid constipation.
5. Drink plenty of water.

In the case of large, multiple and persisting mouth ulcers along with fever please see your doctor.