Treatments for Canker Sores

Conventional Medicine

Canker sores can be safely ignored. They generally heal themselves in seven to ten days. The doctors can give medications to reduce the discomfort or to treat any underlying medical problems.

Allopathic doctors don't have much to offer people with canker sores. They often prescribe antibiotics or corticosteroids, medications that help relieve pain and inflammation. But neither of these treatments helps much. So they tend to recommend traditional relief--ice to alleviate the pain and rinsing the mouth with warm saltwater several times a day.

Doctors also suggest eliminating things that sometimes trigger or aggravate canker sores, such as alcohol, chewing gum, citrus fruits, coffee, dairy products, meat, pineapple, spicy foods, tomatoes, toothpaste and vinegar and other acidic foods.

Doctors also suggest avoiding anything that you happen to be allergic to. Nibbling the "forbidden" foods (the ones you are allergic to) is a notorious cause of canker sores.

1. Over-the-counter ointments are recommended to relieve the discomfort of a canker sore. Look for a medicine that contains glycerin, which protects the sore, and peroxide, which fights bacteria.

2. If your sore does not respond to over-the-counter or at-home treatments, your doctor may prescribe a medication containing diphenhydramine to dry up the sore and lidocaine to relieve pain.

3. If you have an infection, it may be treated with an antibiotic such as tetracycline.

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