Mouth ulcer causes redness, ulcers, blisters, and submucosal hemorrhages of mouth. Mouth ulcers are small whitish spots located in the inside of the cheek or the tongue or even clustered on the inner side of the lips. They are also called canker sores. When the condition is very severe, the affected person cannot drink or eat anything. This condition can be summed up as inflammation of the mouth. The affected parts include palate, tongue, floor or tongue or even cheeks.
Home Remedies for Mouth Ulcer
Some of the primary and effective treatments and Mouth Ulcer are:
1. Control Constipation
Constipation is the root cause of the Mouth ulcers. Keep constipation into control by including fiber-rich food in your diet, exercise and taking proper sleep. Take plenty of green vegetables with fruit juices daily. Promptly answer nature calls.
2. Gargle
Mentioned below are some of the herbal gargles which helps in curing the problems effectively.
- Mix 1 tsp of ghee in 1/2 cup of lukewarm milk. Use this mixture for gargles, and then swallow it.
- Take some rose petals in a glass of water and boil it till water is reduced to half. Gargle with this water every 4 hours
- The decoction of liquorice should be used for gargle.
- Take about 1 teaspoonful of coriander seeds in about 1 cup of water and boil it to the extent it becomes warm. Gargle it about 3 to 4 times in a day.
- Make a solution of about 2 oz. of hydrogen peroxide, about 2 oz of water, a tablespoonful of salt as well as baking soda. Rinse the mouth with it but do not swallow it.
- Alum added in warm water can be used as a gargle and mouthwash
- Boil 2 tsp fennel in a glass of water. Add a piece of roasted alum. Use this as a mouthwash and for gargles
- Rinsing with Listerine prevents bad smell in the mouth as well as mouth ulcers
3. Herbal Ointments
Let us have a look at some of the herbal ointment preparations that could give fast relief –
- Make some paste of amla (known as Indian Gooseberry) and apply the content in the ulcers 2 to 3 times in day
- Garlic should be grounded in coconut milk to make a paste and should be applied on the ulcers
- Mix turmeric powder ( a pinch) to a teaspoonful of glycerin and apply on the ulcers
- Massage the gums with some coconut milk and honey about thrice in a day
- Apply hydrogen peroxide with a cotton swab on the ulcer. (1 part of water and 1 part of hydrogen peroxide)
- Use rose water mixed with glycerin as a local application on the ulcers
- Take some powdered alum and mix it into glycerin and apply the paste on the ulcers
- Massage with powdered camphor 2-3 times daily. It can be applied plain or mixed with some glycerin
4. Essential Oils
One can apply eucalyptus and peppermint essential oils as they contain anti-inflammatory. They act as anti-microbial and tighten up the tissues around the affected area. Thus, the discomfort caused by the swelling is less. The cooling aspects of both these essential oils numb the ending of the nerves which are on “fire”.
5. Holy Basil
Tulsi or holy basil contains a lot of medicinal properties and is an essential adaptogen, which helps our body to adapt itself to stress. One needs to chew a few tulsi leaves with water at least 3 to 4 times in a day. The ulcers disappear quickly.
6. Poppy seeds
Poppy seeds, also known as Khus Khus in Hindi have a cool effect on one’s body system. Based upon Ayurveda philosophy, on account of excessive heat in the body system ulcers get formed in the mouth.
7. Licorice
Having medicinal properties, it contains anti-inflammatory elements which can treat painful mouth ulcers. It is one of the useful home remedies for blisters in the mouth. Mulethi can be had in the form of a stem piece. The stem needs to rub on the home grinding stone with some water and then placed on the affected area. One can also make use of licorice powder with the little bit of turmeric powder into a warm glass of milk and then drink the mix 3 to 4 times in a day.
8. Honey
Honey helps retain moisture and also prevents dehydration. It reduces scarring and also promotes the growth of new tissues. It contains anti-microbial elements that help in the healing of the ulcer. Put a little honey on the mouth blister and the apply some paste of turmeric powder.
9. Other Remedies
- Take about 4-5 leaves of some holy basil leaves and in the morning chew them. It helps in curing mouth ulcers and preventing bad smell from the mouth
- Take equal quantities of cumin seeds, large cardamom, and sugar candy. Pound these and take 5 grams of this powder daily twice with water
- Drink a full glass of water as soon as you get up from bed
Causes of Mouth ulcers
Mouth ulcers could be caused due to bacteria, fungi, or even virus. This can also be caused due to heavy metals or toxicity of drugs. The other factors may include a deficiency or B Complex. Mouth Ulcer could also be a sign of other diseases like some diseases of the gastrointestinal system, skin disorders or even cancer in rare cases.
- Too much of acidic or spicy food
- Minor injuries
- Less Vitamin B2 in one’s diet
- Viral infections
- Stress
- Lack of proper rest
Symptoms of Mouth Ulcer
Mouth Ulcer Symptoms could be many but the primary signs of Mouth ulcer could be a pain in mouth and difficulty in swallowing food items. Fever could also be present in some cases and foul odor could not be ruled out as symptoms of mouth ulcer.
Prevention of mouth ulcers
- Avoid spicy or oily food
- Avoid red meats
- Do not have processed foods
- Do not drink too much coffee
- Eat salads
- Have peppermint or green tea