What are Canker sores?
Canker sores are a type of infection, which appears inside the mouth, and are very painful. It is a kind of recurring ulcers (white spots), which are very sensitive. These sores appear inside the mouth, on the cheeks or on the edge of the tongue, mainly on the soft internal tissues. It is generally believed that certain factors like stress, poor dental hygiene, candidiasis, food allergies, and nutritional deficiencies are responsible for this infection. Canker sores are a very common ailment that can affect virtually any person. Medically it is termed as Aphthous Stomatitis.
What are the causes of canker sores?
- Over consumption of items like eggs, wheat, pork, oranges, honey and brewer’s yeast can cause this infection.
- Canker sores can also occur due to local injury in the mouth caused by activities like brushing your teeth too hard.
- Consumption of sharp or hard foods, or chewing can also cause canker sores
- Acidity in the stomach can trigger this problem.
- Nutritional deficiencies (Deficiencies in iron, zinc, B12, and folic acid) can cause this problem.
What are the symptoms of canker sores?
- It is painful and causes irritation while eating or talking
- Causes burning sensation when consuming hot beverages
- Canker sores are characterized by swollen lymph nodes. It begins as round swellings or reddish oval swellings in the mouth.
- In severe cases there is high fever.
- Severe and chronic canker sores may leave scars. Always consult a doctor if it continues for more than 2 to 3 week.
Home remedy for canker sores
- Avoid eating sweets and too much citrus fruits. Also check yourselves from eating refined and processed foods, coffee and sugar.
- Avoid taking foods containing acids like sodas.
- Do not have grain foods, if you are suffering from canker sores.
- Avoid taking chewing gum, lozenges with sugar, and candy.
- Regularly consume those products, which contains acidophilus, such as yogurt, cottage cheese or buttermilk.
- Use of aloe juice as a mouth rinse regularly as it is a great measure to get rid of this painful infection. Also the usage of antacid formulas such as Mylanta and Milk of Magnesia, as a mouth rinse can be very effective.
- Application of preservative alum can also be a very good remedy.
- Baking soda is another important remedy. It can either be used as a powder directly on the sore or can be made into a paste and applied. It has to be used several times daily.
- Copper sulfate is an old and effective remedy for canker sores . It is an astringent and is also known as “lunar caustic.” .
- The extract of grapefruit seed is a great remedy. Use five or six drops in a glass of water and use as a mouthwash once daily. It is an excellent disinfectant.
- Application of raw onion on the sore is also very effective.
- Hydrogen peroxide may also be treated as an effective mouthwash for curing this problem.
- The Papaya fruit or the fresh papaya leaves if chewed and consumed daily will help you to clear up the canker sores.
- Take a mixture of2 tablespoon of plum juice and use it as a mouth rinse.
