*clicky* ~`~ Canker Questions ~`~ *clicky*

Swab the sores with hydrogen peroxide

Rinse the mouth with Listerine

Rinse the mouth with salt water鈥? teaspoon of salt dissolved in 1 cup (250 ml) of warm water (aka. a saline solution)

Antacid techniques suggested include the following:

Swab the sores with milk of magnesia

Apply powdered alum directly to the sores鈥攁vailable in the spice aisle at your grocery store

Make a paste of baking soda and water鈥攁pply directly to the sores

Make a paste of crushed Tums and water鈥攁pply directly to the sores

Rinse the mouth with a baking soda-Water mix鈥? teaspoon of baking soda dissolved in 1 cup (250 ml) of warm water

Rinse the mouth with warm milk

Combination therapies tell you to use the antiseptic first, and then the antacid. ie. Swab sores with hydrogen peroxide and then swab them with milk of magnesia.

Treatment for severe cases

Treatments based on antibiotics and steroids are reserved for severe cases, and should be used only under medical supervision. Also, if the ulcer does not heal within a week, a doctor or dentists may cauterize it using a silver-nitrate applicator or laser. This procedure immediately burns off the sore, causing it to completely disappear within a few hours or two to three days.

Some dentists recommend a sulfuric acid solution for treating mouth ulcers, such as debacterol.

The miracle cures that are advertised should be viewed with skepticism.

Prevention