Before we talk about home remedies for mouth ulcers, you should know what you are actually dealing with. Basically, mouth ulcers are, by and large, benign sores that appear inside your mouth or at the base of your gum – on some occasions, these could be seen on cheeks, lips and tongues as well. These are, usually, white, yellow, red or even grey in colour. Although mouth ulcers are not fatal, these could be extremely painful. In some cases, there can be multiple sores, doubling the pain. These painful lesions can indeed turn eating or chewing food into quite an ordeal.
What causes mouth ulcers?
The exact causes aren’t very clear, according to experts. Studies show that you can get mouth ulcers if there is a family history. Broadly speaking, these sores appear when there’s some kind of damage to the inner lining of your cheeks – for instance, you could accidentally have bitten the lining within your mouth or there might be a sharp tooth which is rubbing against the skin and causing mouth ulcers. Ill-fitted dentures and irregular fillings can also cause damage. You can get mouth ulcers because of stress and anxiety as well. Hormonal changes can also cause mouth ulcers in some cases – women can complain of getting the lesions in their mouths when they are menstruating, according to experts. Sometimes, certain medical conditions can also lead to mouth ulcers – take, for instance, viral infections or even coeliac disease, a condition where a person’s digestive system reacts against gluten. Above everything, you can get mouth ulcers frequently if you binge on spicy and oily food.
Apple cider vinegar
Here’s a super effective home remedy for mouth ulcers, thanks to the goodness of apple cider vinegar whose acidity can kill ulcer-causing bacteria. Mix one tbsp of the vinegar in half a cup of warm water. Swish this in your mouth for a couple of minutes and then rinse your mouth with regular water. Do this twice a day till the swelling subsides.
Cloves
Again, this can be a simple home remedy for mouth ulcer. Cloves are known to kill off bacteria – experts say that cloves can also help in reducing stomach ulcers. All you need to do is keep a bunch of cloves handy. Just chew on the clove buds – you will see the difference.
Honey
As we all know, honey has anti-bacterial properties. Plus it can be a good natural emollient. So, when you have mouth ulcers, just take a little bit of cotton and apply honey on the ulcers with the help of the cotton. Keep on repeating till you feel that the swelling is diminishing and it’s feeling less painful.
Poppy seeds
Don’t be surprised – raw poppy seeds have been consumed since time immemorial to battle various conditions such as asthma and cough. It is also considered a decent home remedy for mouth ulcers – it can reduce the body heat and give you some relief from the sores. You can mix a few poppy seeds with sugar and then consume them.
Turmeric
Turmeric is a wonderful antidote to mouth ulcers. Just make a smooth paste of turmeric and water, apply on the ulcer and wait for a couple of minutes. Rinse off. Try to do this at least twice a day. Turmeric works because it has antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties
Salt
This must-have often been prescribed to you by your grandparents. This is a time-tested natural remedy for mouth ulcers. Put a little bit of salt in a glass of warm water and swish it inside your mouth, covering every corner. Keep swishing for a couple of minutes. Then rinse with plain water. Try this as many times a day as possible. Saltwater can indeed be very effective against the germs and bacteria causing mouth ulcers.