A mouth ulcer is a break or injury in the mouth, usually the lips, the tongue or the cheek, causing a loss of the skin tissue. In most cases, this injury is usually red or in different shades of white; and is mostly caused by mechanical injury (like when you accidentally bite yourself). Mouth ulcers, also known as canker sores, can resolve themselves within a few days but there are cases where they keep reoccurring. A reoccurring mouth ulcer is known as Aphthous. Generally, canker sores are usually painful, especially when you try to use your mouth (as in talking, eating, or drinking).
Apart from the mechanical injury where you accidentally bite yourself, mouth ulcer can develop as a result of many other factors. Poor oral hygiene or toothbrush injury can cause mouth ulcer; as well as badly fitted dentures or braces, burns from hot food, and irritating mouthwashes. Mouth ulcer can also develop as a result of infections and diseases like cold sore, herpes simplex, syphilis infection, oral thrush, and lichen planus. AIDS, inflammation of the bowel and diabetes mellitus are also possible causes of mouth ulcers. Some mouth ulcers are drug induced.
The general symptoms of mouth ulcers is pain! It would be a painful sore that is usually swollen around it. This sore gets even more painful when you try to eat and can lead to loss of appetite as a result. Difficulty in brushing your teeth is another sign that you might have a mouth ulcer. Discolouration of an area in your mouth is also a sign of mouth ulcer.
Mouth ulcers can disappear in a few days without any treatment; but some mouth ulcers are recurrent. If you are having recurrent mouth ulcers or cannot wait a few days for your mouth ulcer to resolve, here are some natural/herbal and homemade tips to help you out of the situation:
- Ice cubes: These are known to numb pains. So you can use it for a quick relief from pains. Put an ice cube directly on the ulcerated area and hold it on for a while; that is it.
- Honey: This magic substance always comes in handy in a wide variety of health and beauty issues. It is a humectant – meaning it helps to retain moisture and alleviate dehydration. It is also great in reducing blemishes that may arise from an injury and facilitates the healing process of an injury. Apply a bit of honey to the affected area, or use it in your liquid drinks (expected to come in contact with the injury).
- Liquorice: This anti-inflammatory substance can be helpful in treating mouth ulcers. Make a paste with liquorice stem or powder using a little water or juice and rub it on the affected area.
- Coconut: Drink the coconut water, chew dry or fresh coconut, or rub coconut oil on the ulcerated area; whichever way you choose to do it, it will still have the same great effect in treating mouth ulcers.
- Aluminium potassium sulphate, also known as potash alum or potassium alum or Tawas (in Philippines): This comes in powder or crystal form. As a powder, it can be applied to dry on the ulcer area. It stings at first but does start the healing process much more quickly than leaving it without treatment. It is key to let the powder dry onto the ulcer, which is very awkward!
- Tulsi leaves: These leaves has some adaptogen in them. These adaptogens helps in reducing/adapting to stress. It also makes the ulcer go away faster. Chew some leaves of tulsi as often as three to four times a day and the ulcer will go away in no time.
- Poppy seeds
- Butter milk
- Castor oil
- Chamomile tea
- Clove oil
- Swish sage
- Wax cap
- Cayenne cream
- Warm salt water gargle
- Yogurt
- Aloe vera
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