Canker sores can be terribly irritating and sometimes especially painful. They are not contagious and are often caused by stress, according to Mayo Clinic. Though canker sores typically disappear on their own within 1 to 2 weeks, there is no reason you can't employ a home remedy here and there in order to speed the healing process and ease the pain.
Continue reading to learn the 8 best home remedies to treat canker sores.
1. Honey. Prevention reported a study in which 100 per cent of people treated with honey were healed within 4 days. Honey works because it is has anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties and is known to promote healing. Simply dab a spot of honey on the sore a few times daily.
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2. Raisins. Soaking a handful of raisins in water overnight and then resting the raisin on the spot of the sore throughout the next day can have sigh-inducing effects on canker sores, says Home Remedy Hacks. You may also benefit from drinking or rinsing your mouth with the raisin water.
3. Onion. Applying a slice of onion to the site of the canker sore for 15- 20 minutes 2- 3 times daily is thought to cure canker sores. Home Remedy Hacks explains this is because anti-bacterial onions contain healing sulfur.
4. Grapefruit. This tasty citrus fruit is full of bioflavonoids and anti-bacterial properties that promote healing. Home Remedy Hacks recommends a home remedy made from 5- 6 drops grapefruit juice and a small glass of water. Gargle with the mixture one to two times daily.
5. Probiotic yogurt. Reader's Digest recommends chronic sufferers regularly eat yogurt with live acidophilus cultures to prevent and treat canker sores. Probiotic yogurt is effective not just for its cooling properties, but also because the live cultures fight canker-sore causing bacteria.
6. Pepto-Bismol. Chew on a Pepto-Bismal tablet or place a tablet on the sore and allow it to dissolve. Doing so will neutralize the pain-causing acids and speed the healing process. Reader's Digest says you can also use Tums or Rolaids.
7. Damp tea bag. Placing a damp tea bag on the sore for 5 minutes can have wonderfully soothing effects. Reader's Digest explains this is because tea is astringent and therefore an effective pain reliever.
8. Milk of magnesia. Mayo Clinic recommends dabbing a spot of milk of magnesia on the canker sore a few times a day. Home Remedy Hacks explains milk of magnesia works because it is an antacid that counteracts the acidic environment in which canker sore-causing bacteria thrive.
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