Canker sores, also known as mouth ulcers, can be quite painful and uncomfortable. Canker sores are believed to be caused by a number of things, which include immune dysfunction, viral infections, food allergies, and nutritional deficiencies.

In addition, deficiencies in certain vitamins like iron, vitamin B12, or folic acid may also bring on canker sores. Therefore, before taking action against these painful sores, determine what caused them by seeing a physician. A physician will be able to tell you if you are lacking nutrients, or if it is another problem.

Canker Sores Remedies

Look for an over-the-counter medicine for canker sores that contain benzocaine, menthol, camphor, eucalyptol, or alcohol in a liquid or gel. These liquids or gels are highly effective, but they sting at first.

Many experts also believe that tea bags are an effective remedy for these sores. Apply a wet black tea bag to the ulcer. This works because of an astringent that is found in the black tea called tannin. The ability of tannin to relieve pain is surprising.

You can attempt to speed healing by combining 1 tablespoon of hydrogen peroxide in a glass of water and swish it around in your mouth.

Rinse out your mouth with Mylanta. Let the Mylanta coat the sore, but do not swallow. Swish the Mylanta around for a few seconds then spit it out. This may also have an antibacterial effect.

Purchase some goldenseal from a health food store and use it as a mouthwash.

When you are suffering with a canker sore, staying away from certain foods may be beneficial. Foods such as coffee, citrus fruits, spices, nuts that are high in arginine, chocolate, and strawberries can irritate canker sores and in some cases cause them.

Being that canker sores are a result of a breakdown in tissue structure. A herb by the name of gotu kola is recommended. Gotu kola is widely used and is known to help heal wounds and promote connective tissue growth.

Echinacea is also a good herb to use for a canker sore. An Echinacea tincture produces a numbing effect that may offer some relief from the throbbing pain of a sore.

Here is herbal gel you can use for canker sores:

1-teaspoon Echinacea tincture
1-teaspoon goldenseal tincture
1-teaspoon calendula tincture
1-teaspoon grapefruit seed extract
1-tablespoon aloe vera gel

Mix all ingredients in a smaller jar with a tight seal. To use, place a pea-sized amount of the gel on a clean piece of gauze; hold in the mouth against the sore. You can this gel as hourly throughout the day, until your canker sore heals.