7 Natural Remedies for Mouth Sores

Because of their anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties, some home remedies, such as those we'll present here, can help relieve the discomfort of mouth sores.

Mouth sores are small, superficial whitish-colored, red-rimmed ulcers. They can appear anywhere on the oral mucosa, but don’t occur on the outside of the mouth. However, their appearance can alert of several situations such as the following:

• Injuries in the mouth.
• Poor hygiene habits.
• Weakening of the immune system.
• A high level of stress, as this study in Advances in Odontostomatology suggest. So, it could be a cause.

Mouth sores are not contagious. However, although they disappear on their own after a few days, it’s always advisable to employ some type of treatment to try to relieve their symptoms, speed their recovery, and prevent infection.

7 Home Remedies to Relieve the Symptoms of Mouth Sores

Although not all of these remedies have been validated by science, according to popular wisdom they can be useful in relieving the symptoms of mouth sores.

1. Garlic

Because of its antiseptic and antibacterial properties, as this Microbes and Infection publication points out, garlic can help prevent infection of mouth sores.

To obtain its benefits, you can crush a clove of garlic and apply the paste to the sore for 2 or 3 minutes. Then rinse with plenty of water.

2. Baking Soda for mouth sores

Baking soda is a very abrasive substance that when applied directly to canker sores can cause intense pain and burning in the area, so it’s not advisable to use it.

While it’s true that it is a very popular remedy, this doesn’t mean that it’s the best or most effective option for all cases. Besides, you have to be very careful with it, even when using it as a rinse.

Baking soda can help relieve some symptoms, as this information from the Mayo Clinic points out, but instead of applying it directly, you should dilute a tablespoon of baking soda in a glass of water and rinse for a short period of time.

3. Grapefruit seed extract

The natural extracts obtained from grapefruit seeds have antibacterial properties, as this research published in Acta Pharmeceutica points out, which could help destroy the germs that cause infections in the mouth.

In addition, it’s said that these seeds contain antioxidants that help heal injured skin, while reducing its inflammation and preventing the bad smell that comes from the sore.

Add several drops of grapefruit extract to a glass of warm water and, after brushing, use it as a mouthwash. You can repeat its application up to 3 times a day.

5. Peppermint Oil

5. Hydrogen peroxide for mouth sores

Because of its disinfectant power, oxygenated water can also be used as a home remedy to relieve the discomfort of mouth sores, according to this study conducted by researchers at the University of Barcelona. Its direct use favors the recovery of affected tissues and, in the process, prevents bacteria from proliferating.

Thus, you can use hydrogen peroxide like a mouthwash. To do this, add a spoonful of hydrogen peroxide to a glass of water and rinse your whole mouth well.

Another way to use it is to soak a cotton swab in hydrogen peroxide and gently touch it to the sores in your mouth. You can repeat its use 3 or 4 times a day.

6. Natural yogurt

There is a popular belief that the lactic acid contained in yogurt serves to regulate the pH of the mouth’s mucous membrane, thus neutralizing the acids and increasing the presence of healthy bacteria.

However, there’s not enough scientific evidence to prove this. Nevertheless, and under your responsibility, you can try to consume half a glass of natural yogurt a day and apply it to the affected areas.

7. Turmeric Paste