by Malavi Sivakanesan • 20 March 2025 • 5 min read
Mouth ulcers, also known as canker sores, are irritating lesions that develop inside your mouth. They commonly appear on your tongue or gums and cause discomfort while eating, drinking, or speaking. Certain factors — such as stress, injuries, nutritional deficiencies, or infections — contribute to their formation. Most mouth ulcers usually heal within one or two weeks, but some can be persistent or extremely painful. The right treatments can speed up recovery and reduce the pain.
Home Remedies for Mouth Ulcers
Plenty of natural remedies can alleviate mouth sores and shorten recovery time. Here are some of the best at-home treatments that can heal mouth ulcers:
Saltwater Rinse
The use of a simple saltwater rinse is the most common and convenient oral ulcer treatment. It disinfects the mouth ulcers and fastens your healing process at home without much hassle.
To try this remedy, mix half a teaspoon of salt with warm water and swish it in your mouth for 30 seconds, then spit it out. Doing this daily can dry out the sore and prevent germs from contaminating the ulcer.
Honey Application
Honey is the best cure for mouth ulcers because of its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory qualities. It is the least risky and most natural home remedy of all.
Take a small amount of raw honey and apply it directly to the sore using a cotton swab or your clean finger 3–4 times a day. It will help reduce pain and speed up the healing process. Manuka honey is known to be the best for mouth ulcers due to its high antimicrobial activity.
Aloe Vera Gel
Aloe vera is also a good home remedy for mouth ulcers. The calming properties of aloe vera — from its soothing compounds such as polysaccharides and glycoproteins — assist in the treatment and recovery of oral ulcers and wounds.
Apply fresh aloe vera gel directly to the sore 2–3 times daily. You can also drink aloe vera juice for ulcer pain and oral health maintenance.
Baking Soda Paste
Baking soda can help you get relief from a mouth ulcer that is not healing. It balances the pH levels in the mouth, neutralising acidity that can irritate ulcers and slow down healing. Additionally, baking soda is a natural teeth-whitening agent that gently removes surface stains from teeth.
Mix a small amount of baking soda with a few drops of water to make a thick paste. Apply it directly to the mouth ulcer with your clean finger, leave it for a while, then rinse with warm water.
Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is another home remedy that works as the best way to treat mouth ulcers. It contains lauric acid, which has antimicrobial, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory healing effects. It may also help prevent secondary infections from the ulcer and promote overall gum health.
Apply a small amount of coconut oil directly to the mouth ulcer several times a day. The practice of swishing coconut oil in the mouth — known as oil pulling — will also contribute to increased oral health and prevent ulcer formation.
Over-the-Counter Treatments
When home remedies do not provide relief, over-the-counter mouth ulcer medication can be beneficial for lessening pain, swelling, and potential infections. Here are the two most common options:
Antiseptic Mouthwashes
If you are still unsure about what helps an ulcer in the mouth, antiseptic rinses could be the best option. They can kill bacteria to prevent infection and speed up the healing process.
Choose mouthwashes that contain either chlorhexidine or hydrogen peroxide. Rinsing twice a day leads to ulcers becoming less inflamed and helps to keep them clean.
Oral Gels & Ointments
Medicated ointments containing benzocaine or lidocaine are very effective in providing temporary pain relief by anaesthetising the affected area. In cases of recurrent pain, corticosteroid-based creams are very effective in reducing inflammation and promoting healing.
Preventive Measures to Avoid Future Ulcers
Nobody likes dealing with mouth ulcers, so taking a few simple steps to prevent them can save you from a lot of discomfort. These pesky sores often show up due to stress, certain foods, or even small injuries inside your mouth. Understanding mouth ulcer types can help you identify the cause and take preventive measures.
Eating a balanced diet, staying hydrated, and keeping your stress levels in check can make a big difference. Of course, even with the best care, ulcers can still appear from time to time. However, if the ulcer doesn't go away or keeps coming back, it's important to visit a dentist as soon as possible, as it could indicate an underlying condition.
Malavi Sivakanesan
Malavi Sivakanesan is the principal dentist and co-founder at Complete Smiles in Harrow, Greater London. She is responsible for establishing the Complete Smiles brand throughout the United Kingdom and Europe and has 5 successful practices under her strong leadership.