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Mouthwash for Canker Sores
How can you treat canker sores or soothe the pain they cause? In this guide, we offer a treatment based on mouthwash combined with natural remedies to help you adopt proper oral hygiene.
Canker sores: definition, symptoms, causes
As a reminder, canker sores are small mouth ulcers that constantly cause discomfort: painful chewing at every meal and unpleasant tooth brushing. In most cases, they are painful when eating certain foods such as dried fruit, Gruyère cheese, spices… as well as acidic foods or foods high in tannins. Fortunately, oral canker sores are benign and may disappear after about ten days. To find out exactly how long a canker sore lasts and follow the stages of its healing, a dedicated guide details each phase. They should not be confused with herpes (abscesses) or chickenpox (blisters), which are contagious and accompanied by fever. To distinguish them properly, our guide explains the difference between a canker sore and a cold sore.
A canker sore appears as a small crater (yellowish or whitish) surrounded by a red halo. The sores may occur in different areas of the oral cavity: gums, mucous membranes, under the tongue, inside the cheeks, on the tip of the tongue, on the palate, or on the lips. The patient may feel pain in each affected area. However, pain caused by oral lesions is not accompanied by bleeding.
The origins of this condition affecting the oral mucosa, similar to lichen planus, are currently unknown. Only the factors that promote canker sore flare-ups are known:
- Taking certain anti-inflammatory medications (aspirin, paracetamol, ibuprofen), painkillers, or antibiotics used to treat certain conditions
- Irritation from a toothbrush with hard bristles
- Dentures irritating the oral mucosa
- Hormonal changes in women
- Fatigue and recurring stress
- Certain deficiencies
- Chemotherapy
When these flare-ups become more frequent, it is useful to know what to do in case of recurring canker sores to identify their triggers and space out episodes.
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Canker sore treatment for better oral health
Therapeutic mouthwashes after brushing your teeth are among the treatments your pharmacist, dentist, or doctor may recommend during a consultation.
The benefits of mouthwash
This treatment helps relieve pain and limit inflammation thanks to the antiseptic and anti-inflammatory agents contained in the various ingredients of mouthwash. Used as a gargle, it can reach all areas of the mouth and gently reduce canker sores or mouth ulcers. To do this, keep the mouthwash solution in your mouth for the recommended time. Then spit it out without rinsing your mouth. However, limit treatment to a few days to avoid disrupting the oral flora.
Baking soda mouthwash
To heal mouth ulcers, prepare a baking soda solution. Here is how to do it easily. First, take one teaspoon of baking soda. Dissolve it in a glass of lukewarm water. After mixing the liquid thoroughly, gargle with it. Spit out the water when the mouthwash is finished (about one minute). Your canker sore may disappear if you use this mouthwash daily. Baking soda rebalances the pH of your mouth and prevents bacterial growth. Salt-water mouthwash also promotes better healing of oral cavity conditions. In short, using baking soda for mouthwash makes your oral hygiene healthier.
Mouthwash for canker sores: natural remedies to soothe and treat them
Natural remedies for canker sores and their lesions are products made from medicinal plants. In this regard, essential oils are often used, diluted in a glass of water before using the mouthwash.
Mouthwash with bay laurel essential oil
Bay laurel essential oil has demonstrated notable effectiveness in oral care. It is known for its purifying action when added to your mouthwash preparation.
Alodont mouthwash
For a 5-day treatment (3 times/day), Alodont mouthwash treats oral infections such as sore throats and canker sores. This bottle can be used by adults and children aged 7 and over after an operation in the oral cavity.
Applying essential oil to canker sores
Without using mouthwash, canker sores can be treated by applying essential oil (clove oil and Tea Tree oil) to oral lesions with a cotton swab. Also applied to sores, Elgydium Clinic Cicalium gel and spray are effective in treating canker sores. You can therefore take the initiative to keep a small stock of essential oils.
Another alternative: the Y-Brush dental care kit
To maintain good oral hygiene, you can opt for the All-inclusive Pack from Y-Brush. It includes:
- a handle with an integrated battery
- a Y-Brush toothbrush
- a USB câble
- a storage stand
- a toothpaste applicator
- a travel case
