How to Treat Canker Sores

Canker sores or apthous ulcers are one of the most common causes of mouth pain. These annoying little mouth sores affect up to one in five people and are a source of significant pain and discomfort. They’re usually fairly easy to identify – presenting as a small white ulcer on the inner aspect of the cheek or the back of the throat that’s painful to the touch. Unfortunately, they can be a chronic, recurrent problem in people who have the misfortune be susceptible to them. Although they usually disappear on their own within ten days, until they do the pain can be severe enough to require treatment. What are the best options to treat canker sores?

How to Treat Canker Sores

If the pain of an apthous ulcer or canker sore is mild, the only treatment that may be needed is to gargle with salt water every few hours and apply a half and half solution of hydrogen peroxide and water to the ulcer with a cotton swab. Some studies show that rinsing the mouth several times a day with an anti-microbial mouthwash such as Listerine can shorten the duration of apthous ulcers and may provide some pain relief.

How to Stop the Pain of Canker Sores

To treat canker sores that are painful enough to interfere with eating or speaking, there are a variety of drugstore options available. One solution is to use a topical ointment that contains a numbing agent such as benzocaine or lidocaine. Some examples are Orabase B and Anbesol. There are also preparations available to treat canker sores that form a thin barrier over the ulcer to protect it from irritation. Plain Orabase is an example of this type of canker sore treatment. You can also buy Orabase based ointments that are combined with a weak steroid to reduce inflammation such as Kenalog with Orabase. These drugstore treatments for apthous ulcers don’t shorten the duration of the symptoms, but can temporarily relieve pain and inflammation.

Prescription Options

There is a prescription based medication now available to treat canker sores that can shorten the duration of the symptoms. This medication called Aphthasol is applied to the apthous ulcer four times a day. Results will vary per person, but the manufacturer’s claim it speeds healing by seventy-two percent. In rare cases, a short course of prednisone may be needed to reduce the pain and inflammation. This should be reserved for only the most severe cases.

The Bottom Line?

In most cases, simple measures such as rinsing with salt water and using a topical ointment with benzocaine is all that’s needed to control pain. If canker sores become a recurrent problem, ask your doctor about Aphthasol to help reduce pain and speed up healing.