Canker Sores

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

Causes

Signs/Symptoms

Care

WHAT YOU SHOULD DO

• The following non-prescription medicines may help reduce the pain.
  • Medicines and lozenges to numb and protect the sores. Follow the directions on the label.
  • Milk of magnesia. Three or 4 times a day, swish a small amount in your mouth for several minutes, then spit it out.
  • Aspirin or acetaminophen.
• Keep your mouth clean by brushing your teeth and rinsing your mouth after meals and at bedtime. Rinse with a mixture of 1/2 water and 1/2 hydrogen peroxide.
• You may clean the sore spots with a cotton swab dipped in a solution of 1/2 water and 1/2 hydrogen peroxide.
• Cold or cool liquids may be soothing and help numb pain. Do not drink citrus and carbonated drinks (for instance, orange juice, grapefruit juice, lemonade, soda). Drinking through a straw may be helpful.
• Soft foods such as gelatin, ice cream, yogurt, custard, applesauce, pudding, and mashed potatoes will irritate the mouth less than salty, spicy, or acidic foods (such as tomatoes).
• Avoid hard-edged foods such as potato chips. If the hard edges touch the sores, it could be painful.

Call Your Doctor If...

• You develop a high temperature.
• The pain is unbearable and none of the above suggestions helps.
• You get more than 4 canker sores at a time.
• The sores are not better in 5 to 6 days.
• You cannot eat or drink because of the pain.