health

Minor canker sores will heal eventually without treatment, although
dentists frequently prescribe a mouthwash that contains a steroid medication
or a rinse that contains an antibiotic. The antibiotic rinse is not
usually given to children because it can cause their teeth to discolor.
Other treatments include pastes like Orabase, Aphthasol, or Lidex.
These can be applied directly to the sore to speed healing and protect
the sore from further irritation by food, tooth brushing, or orthodontic
braces. The dentist may also prescribe mouthwashes or gels that contain
a local anesthetic. The gels can be applied directly to the sore with a
cotton swab.
Patients can also care for canker sores at home by making a solution
of 1 teaspoon of salt in a pint of warm water and using it to rinse out the
mouth as often as desired. Other home remedies that work for some
people include making a paste of baking soda and water to be applied
to the sores; allowing small chips of ice to melt slowly over the sores;
or applying a small amount of milk of magnesia to the sores several times
a day.
Patients with severe canker sores may be treated with steroid medications
injected directly into the tissues under the sores. Some dentists have
used lasers to treat severe canker sores in patients who do not respond to
other forms of treatment. Laser therapy gives good results in treating
canker sores but is considered experimental because it requires specialized
training to use effectively.
Other treatments that are beneficial for some patients include
vitamin and mineral supplements, zinc lozenges, stress management
techniques, and avoiding foods that are likely to irritate the mouth. For
many people, these “problem foods” include nuts, chips, pretzels, certain
spices, salty foods, tomatoes, and citrus fruits.