Mouth ulcers — also known as canker sores — are normally small, painful lesions that develop in your mouth or at the base of your gums. They can make eating, drinking, and talking uncomfortable. The virus that causes cold sores is usually passed via a kiss, shared utensils, or another close contact. Over-the-counter creams and ointments may help discomfort and speed healing. Frequent sores may require a prescription. Cold sores are a top mouth problem. Other problems include canker sores, TMJ, bad breath, and mouth cancer.

What is a Mouth Blister?

Mouth blisters are sores on the lips, cheeks, tongue, or areas inside or around the mouth. They can be caused by dental work, an accidental bite from eating, irritation or injury, viral infections, or cancer of the mouth.
A mouth blister is a sore on the lips, cheeks, tongue, or other soft areas inside or around the mouth. Everything from dental work to an accidental bite while eating can cause these uncomfortable blisters.

Many types of mouth sores will go away on their own, but some may require medical attention.

What Causes blisters in the mouth?

Several different things can cause blisters inside the mouth:

Tissue Trauma or Irritation

If you have a broken filling or sharp tooth, they can very easily cut into your mouth tissue, causing you to have a blister. Similarly, poorly fitted dentures or braces can cause a similar problem. A study in Trauma in Dentistry also notes that chronic biting of your cheeks or lips can cause lesions. Accidental biting of your lip or cheek might also cause a mouth blister.

Tissue Burn

The Trauma in Dentistry study points out that thermal burns in the mouth are highly prevalent amongst children and young patients. They’re caused by accidentally ingesting a hot liquid or food, resulting in blisters around the burnt area. While tissue burns aren’t usually severe, you should not contaminate the blisters while they heal.

Cold Sores

These are caused by the herpes simplex virus and are very contagious. Often, you’ll experience tenderness or a burning sensation before the actual sore appears. They will begin as blisters and then crust over. While the herpes virus can live in your body for years, it only appears as sores when it’s triggered by something else, such as stress, sun exposure, another illness, or hormonal changes like menstruation.

Canker Sores

Unlike cold sores, canker sores aren’t contagious. They can look like a pale or yellow ulcer appearing in your mouth with a red outer ring. You may see one or several of them. Unfortunately, we don’t know the exact cause of canker sores. Still, they have several risk factors and triggers, including hormone changes, stress, a weakness in your immune system, or a lack of certain vitamins and minerals in your diet.

MedlinePlus also notes that while it’s less common, blisters in the mouth can also be a sign of:

• Autoimmune disorders
• Cancer of the mouth
• Hand-foot-mouth disease

A weakened immune system caused by a disease like AIDS or if you’re taking medicine after a transplant

What symptoms are associated with mouth ulcers?

There are three types of canker sores: minor, major, and herpetiform.

Minor

Minor canker sores are small oval or round ulcers that heal within one to two weeks with no scarring.

Major

Major canker sores are larger and deeper than minor ones. They have irregular edges and can take up to six weeks to heal. Major mouth ulcers can result in long-term scarring.

Herpetiform

Herpetiform canker sores are pinpoint size, occur in clusters of 10 to 100, and often affect adults. This type of mouth ulcer has irregular edges and will often heal without scarring within one to two weeks.

You should see a doctor if you develop any of the following:

• unusually large mouth ulcers
• new mouth ulcers before the old ones heal
• sores that persist more than three weeks
• sores that are painless
• mouth ulcers that extend to the lips
• pain that can’t be controlled with over-the-counter or natural medication
• severe problems eating and drinking
• high fever or diarrhea whenever the canker sores appear

Treatment

In many cases, mouth sores will heal without treatment. Sores from minor injuries will typically clear within 1–2 weeks.

While their sores are healing, people can try:

• Gargling with saltwater
• Excluding hot or spicy foods from their diet
• Abstaining from using tobacco products
• Avoiding alcohol
• Avoiding eating citrus fruits or salty foods, as they may cause sores to sting
• Using mouthwash
• Taking oral pain relievers
• Applying baking soda and water to the sore
• If home remedies are not enough or the sore does not heal on its own, a person may wish to talk with their doctor about further treatment options.

A doctor can prescribe stronger anti-inflammatory or pain-relieving medications and ointments. If an underlying condition is causing the mouth sores, a doctor will develop a treatment plan for this too.

Prevention

Canker sores often recur, but you may be able to reduce their frequency by following these tips:

(A) Watch what you eat. Try to avoid foods that seem to irritate your mouth. These may include nuts, chips, pretzels, certain spices, salty foods, and acidic fruits, such as pineapple, grapefruit, and oranges. Avoid any foods to which you’re sensitive or allergic.

(B) Choose healthy foods. To help prevent nutritional deficiencies, eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.

(C) Follow good oral hygiene habits. Regular brushing after meals and flossing once a day can keep your mouth clean and free of foods that might trigger a sore. Use a soft brush to help prevent irritation to delicate mouth tissues, and avoid toothpaste and mouth rinses that contain sodium lauryl sulfate.

(D) Protect your mouth. If you have braces or other dental appliances, ask your dentist about orthodontic waxes to cover sharp edges.

(F) Reduce your stress. If your canker sores seem to be related to stress, learn and use stress-reduction techniques, such as meditation and guided imagery.

How long do canker sores last?

Canker sores (aphthous ulcers) occur inside your mouth or on your gums. Although they can be painful and make it difficult to talk or eat, they usually don’t cause lasting damage. Most canker sores heal on their own within a couple of weeks.

8 Natural Remedies To Cure mouth ulcers

1. Saltwater rinse

Rinsing your mouth with salt water is a go-to home remedy, although a painful one, for mouth sores of any kind. It may help dry out canker sores.

How to apply:

• Dissolve 1 teaspoon of salt in 1/2 cup of warm water.
• Swirl this solution in your mouth for 15 to 30 seconds, then spit it out.
• Repeat every few hours as needed.

2. Honey

Honey is known for its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory abilities. According to a 2014  Source, honey is effective in reducing canker sore pain, size, and redness. It also may help prevent secondary infection.

How to apply:

• Take a little bit of cotton and apply honey on the ulcers with the help of cotton.
• Keep on repeating till you feel that the swelling is diminishing and it’s feeling less painful.

3. Coconut Oil or Ghee

Coconut oil is used in a wide variety of activities across most of India. However, very few people are aware of its healing properties when it comes to mouth ulcers

How to apply:

• Apply desi ghee on the ulcer, let it stay for a few minutes,s and then spit it out.
• Rinse your mouth properly in order to avoid any residue left in the mouth.

4. Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar has anti-bacterial properties that will kill the germs which caused the ulcer in the first place. It will also speed up your recovery.

How to apply:

• Mix one tbsp of the vinegar in half a cup of warm water.
• Swish this in your mouth for a couple of minutes and then rinse your mouth with regular water.
• Do this twice a day till the swelling subsides.

5. Tulsi Leaves

Tulsi leaves are known to be very therapeutic and have been known for their medicinal properties

How to apply:

• Chew some fresh leaves and drink water to swallow them.
• Similarly, you can even boil some fenugreek leaves and use the water to gargle two-three times in a day.
• Make sure you use these concoctions regularly to reap maximum benefits.

6. Hydrogen peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide promotes the healing of a canker sore by cleaning the sore and reducing bacteria in your mouth.

How to apply:

• Dilute a 3 percent solution of hydrogen peroxide with equal parts of water.
• Dip a cotton ball or cotton swab into the mixture.
• Apply the mixture directly to your canker sore a few times daily.

7. Add Fenugreek leaves

Fenugreek is a delicious ingredient in many curries. However, its leaves have many healing benefits. Research shows that fenugreek may have applications in natural
dentistry.

How to apply:

• Take 1 teaspoon of fenugreek seeds into one cup of cold water.
• Swish this mixture around your mouth.

8. Rinse with Baking Soda

Baking soda is an alkaline base. It can neutralize the acids in your mouth that can irritate your canker sore. Baking soda will also kill bacteria in your mouth. This will help your canker sore heal more quickly.

How to apply:

• Mix 1 teaspoon of baking soda in half a cup of warm water.
• Swish and rinse your mouth with this mixture.
• To finish, rinse with fresh water.

5 Best Medicines for Mouth Ulcer

1. Anabel Liquid: Treats mouth ulcers

Brand name– Anabel Liquid
Composition– Choline Salicylate, Lidocaine
Popularity– 9
Choline Salicylate is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug. It works by blocking the release of prostaglandins which cause pain and inflammation. Lidocaine is a local anesthetic. It blocks pain signals from the nerves to the brain which decreases the pain sensation.
Dosage- It is available in the form of a liquid gel for topical application on the ulcer, as directed on the label.
Price- Anabel Liquid is supplied as a bottle containing 15gm of liquid gel. Each bottle is ₹78.

2. Emergel: Treats mouth ulcers

Brand name– Emergel
Composition– Choline Salicylate
Popularity– 8
Choline Salicylate is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). It works by blocking the release of prostaglandins which cause pain and inflammation.
Dosage- It is available in the form of mouth wash. Take the mouthwash in the quantity as advised by your physician and put it in your mouth and rinse for 30 seconds to 1 minute and spit it.
Price- Emergel is supplied as a 15ml bottle for ₹48.06.

3. Fitgel: Treats mouth ulcers

Brand name– Fitgel
Composition– Choline Salicylate
Popularity– 9
Choline Salicylate is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). It works by blocking the release of prostaglandins which cause pain and inflammation.
Dosage- It is available in the form of gel for topical application over the affected area, as directed by your doctor.
Price- Fitgel is supplied as a tube containing 15gm gel. Each tube is ₹61.55.

4. Garbenz: Provides relief from the pain associated with Mouth Ulcer

Brand name– Garbenz
Composition– Benzydamine hydrochloride
Popularity– 8
Benzydamine hydrochloride is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). It works by blocking the release of prostaglandin that causes pain and inflammation (redness and swelling) in the mouth.
Dosage- It is available in the form of mouth wash and uses in a quantity as advised by your doctor. Rinse your mouth for a minute and do no drink before 30 minutes after rinsing.
Price- Garbenz is supplied as a 100ml bottle for ₹82.

5. Mugel Freshora: Treats mouth ulcers

Brand name– Mugel Freshora
Composition– Choline Salicylate, Lidocaine
Popularity– 9
Choline Salicylate is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug. It works by blocking the release of prostaglandins which cause pain and inflammation. Lidocaine is a local anesthetic. It blocks pain signals from the nerves to the brain which decreases the pain sensation.
Dosage – It is available in the form of a gel for topical application over the affected area.
Price- Mugel Freshora is supplied as a tube containing 15gm gel. Each tube is ₹48.

Also read: What Are The Health Benefits Of Pumpkin Seeds

When to See a Doctor

Consult your doctor if you experience:

• Unusually large canker sores
• Recurring sores, with new ones developing before old ones heal, or frequent outbreaks
• Persistent sores, lasting two weeks or more
• Sores that extend into the lips themselves (vermilion border)
• Pain that you can’t control with self-care measures
• Extreme difficulty eating or drinking
• High fever along with canker sores
• See your dentist if you have sharp tooth surfaces or dental appliances that seem to trigger the sores.

Also read: Ginger Water: Benefits Of Raw Ginger In Empty Stomach