by Malavi Sivakanesan • 26 March 2025 • 5 min read
Have you ever woken up with a painful sore inside your mouth and wondered, How do I treat mouth sores? Or maybe you accidentally bit your cheek, and now you're searching for What to apply on a mouth sore? If these questions sound familiar, you're not alone. Mouth sores can be frustrating, uncomfortable, and downright painful. They make eating, drinking, and even talking a challenge. These small but irritating ulcers can appear on the tongue, gums, inner cheeks, or lips. They mostly cause a burning or stinging sensation. While some heal on their own, others may take longer and require proper care. If you're suffering from mouth sores and looking for effective relief, you're in the right place! Stay tuned until the end to know what to do for mouth sores.
What do Mouth Sores Look Like?
Mouth sores may look different based on what they are. Here are the most common ones:
- Canker Sores (Aphthous Ulcers): Small, round, or oval in shape with a white or yellowish centre and a red rim, typically within the mouth.
- Cold Sores (Fever Blisters):Blisters are filled with fluid that forms on or near the lips, usually caused by the herpes simplex virus.
- Leukoplakia: White, thick patches on the cheeks, tongue, or gums, normally associated with tobacco.
- Oral Thrush: Creamy white, raised sores due to a fungal infection, mostly found in people with weakened immune systems.
How to Treat Mouth Sores at Home?
If you are thinking about how to cure mouth sores, here are some simple remedies for treating mouth sores at home:
Rinse with Salt Water
A saltwater rinse is a quick and effective solution to cure mouth sores. Salt is a natural antibacterial that fights infections, kills bacteria, and facilitates healing. You have to dissolve a half teaspoon of salt in warm water, swish it in your mouth for 30 seconds, and then spit it out. You should do this 2-3 times a day to ease pain and recover quickly.
Use Honey
Honey has antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and healing properties. Putting a little raw honey directly on the sore stops it from hurting, keeps it from getting infected, and makes the wound heal quicker.
If you want to get the best results, apply honey several times a day, particularly before sleeping, so it remains on the sore longer.
Use Aloe Vera Gel
Aloe vera is a natural calming agent with strong healing and anti-inflammatory properties. It relieves pain, reduces swelling, and encourages tissue repair.
You must use fresh aloe vera gel directly on the sore 2-3 times daily. You can also consume aloe vera juice to improve general oral well-being and avoid future sores.
Avoid Spicy and Acidic Foods
Some food, particularly spicy, salty, or acidic food, irritates mouth sores and makes pain worse. You should avoid citrus fruits, tomatoes, coffee, and spicy foods if you have mouth sores.
You can use soft, bland foods such as yoghurt, mashed potatoes, oatmeal, or soups instead of spicy foods to cure the mouth sores. You can have smoothies or ice cream to ease the irritation.
Medical Treatments for Mouth Sores
Even after trying home treatments, you may not get relief. In that case, you have to prefer healthcare treatments that are available through General Dentistry services. Here are some of the common treatments:
- Antiseptic Mouthwashes: Mouthwashes help to prevent infections and promote healing by reducing the bacteria in the mouth. These usually contain hydrogen peroxide or chlorhexidine to clean out the infected region.
- Topical Ointments and Gels: These offer pain relief and shield the sore from additional irritation. They can include benzocaine, lidocaine, or hydrocortisone to numb the area and decrease swelling.
- Corticosteroid Rinses: Corticosteroid rinses are medicated mouthwashes that reduce inflammation, ease pain, and promote healing. These are used for serious or chronic sores, decreasing swelling and inflammation and allowing the sore to heal more easily.
- Vitamin or Mineral Supplements: If mouth sores are caused by deficiencies in iron, vitamin B12, or folic acid, supplements can help prevent them.
How to Prevent Mouth Sores?
Simple lifestyle and dietary changes can help you avoid mouth sores altogether. Here are some common tips on how to prevent mouth sores:
- Practice good oral hygiene: Good oral hygiene is always promoted by cosmetic dentistry. It will help you keep your mouth clean and protected from bacteria that can cause sores. So, you should brush your teeth twice a day with a soft-bristled toothbrush and floss daily.
- Use a mild mouthwash: Avoid usage of alcohol-containing mouthwashes that can dry out and irritate the mouth.
- Stay hydrated: Drink lots of water to keep your mouth moist and avoid dryness-related irritation.
- Boost your immunity: Consume a balanced diet with plenty of vitamin B12, iron, and folic acid to ensure you do not develop deficiency sores.
When to See a Dentist?
The majority of mouth sores are not serious and resolve on their own, but some may be serious and can’t be cured by home remedies. So, if your sore persists for over two weeks, increases in size, or is causing a lot of pain, then you must pay attention and visit a dentist.
If you are looking for the best care, Complete Smiles is here to help you. They have an experienced and a friendly team. So, schedule your appointment today and maintain a smile that’s not just beautiful but also accompanied by great oral health!
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.