Canker Sores, Mouth Ulcers, and Fever Blisters.

By Kate Ranta on May 27, 2020 @ 11:00 AM

You have probably woken up to find a small painful sore in your mouth or a fever blister in the corner of your mouth and wondered how it got there. Canker sores and other mouth conditions are a part of life, but there are ways to treat them—with medical and home remedies.

Canker Sores

Small sores inside the mouth may appear three to four times a year and last about 1 to 2 weeks. The cause is unknown, but stress or tissue injury is suspected. Citrusy or acidic fruits and vegetables (such as lemons, oranges, and tomatoes) can also trigger or worsen canker sores.

Symptoms

Painful sore(s) on your tongue, back of the roof of your mouth, or inside your cheeks.
Sores are round and white or gray, with a red border.
In more severe cases, fever, fatigue, and swollen lymph nodes.

Medical Remedies

Prescription mouth rinse to lessen pain and inflammation.
Prescription topical paste to reduce pain and speed up healing.
Oral steroid medication for severe cases that do not respond to other treatments.
Chemically cauterize the sores using an instrument or substance to burn the tissue.
Nutritional supplements prescribed by your doctor that may help include folic acid, B-6, B-12, or zinc.

Home Remedies

Rinse your mouth using salt water or baking soda (1 tsp of baking soda in ½ cup of warm water); spit these out after rinsing.
Make a paste with baking soda and a little water, and cover the sore with the paste.
Over-the-counter products such as Anbesol and Orajel can numb the soreness.
Allow ice chips to dissolve over the sores to relieve discomfort.

Mouth Ulcers

These are injuries to the delicate tissue inside your mouth, usually from biting your cheek. Other causes can be injury from a toothbrush slipping while brushing, burns from hot food, irritation from mouthwash, and even some infections. The ulcers can be swollen and painful for a few days or a bit longer if you keep accidentally biting the same spot.

Symptoms

Swollen skin around the sore.
Tenderness.
Difficulty chewing or brushing teeth because of soreness.
Sensitivity and irritation by acidic or salty foods.

Medical Remedies

Antimicrobial mouth rinse to reduce pain.
Steroid ointment to speed up healing.
Anti-inflammatory drugs to decrease swelling.
Prescription medication if ulcers result from a virus, bacteria, or fungus.

Home Remedies

Avoid hot, spicy, salty, citrus-based foods.
Swish salt water around your mouth.
Eat ice, ice pops, and other cold foods.
Take acetaminophen for pain.
Do not squeeze or pick at sores or blisters.
Mix baking soda and water solution, and cover the sores.
Mix one part hydrogen peroxide and one part water and dab on the affected area.

Fever Blisters

These are also called cold sores and herpes simplex virus (HSV). They are clusters of small blisters on the lips and mouth. The skin around the blisters can be red, swollen, and sore. The blisters may break open, leak clear fluid, and become scabs after a few days. They usually clear up after several days to 2 weeks.

Symptoms

A sore mouth makes eating, drinking, and sleeping uncomfortable and painful.
Fever.
Sore throat.
Swollen lymph nodes in the neck.
Clear fluid draining from the blister.
Once infected, HSV remains in your body; you can get recurrent cold sores.

Medical Remedies

Prescription anesthetic gel to relieve pain.
Antiviral oral medication is used to speed up healing and avoid reappearance (Valtrex is the most common).

Home Remedies

Cover blisters with petroleum jelly to help protect them from infection.
Use an anesthetic ointment with benzocaine to numb the sores.
Try aspirin, acetaminophen, ibuprofen, and other over-the-counter pain reducers.
Avoid stress, which can cause an outbreak (yoga, meditation, exercise, and other relaxation techniques can help).

Remember that the discomfort is temporary, and the remedies listed may help relieve pain and heal the sores. While most sores on and in the mouth can be cared for at home, contact your doctor to seek a treatment plan if you are experiencing a lot of pain.

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