Canker sores usually heal on their own in 1–2 weeks, but you can ease pain and help them clear faster with gentle mouth care, soothing rinses, and (if needed) targeted medicines.

Quick Scoop: What Actually Helps

  • Use mild saltwater or baking soda rinses to calm pain and support healing.
  • Protect the sore with gels or pastes made specifically for mouth ulcers (often with benzocaine or lidocaine) to numb the area.
  • Avoid trigger foods (acidic, spicy, rough/crunchy) and harsh toothpastes to stop further irritation.
  • See a dentist or doctor if sores are very large, extremely painful, keep coming back, or last longer than 2 weeks.

What Are Canker Sores?

Canker sores are small, shallow ulcers that show up inside your mouth (inside lips or cheeks, under the tongue, at the base of the gums) and are not contagious. They usually look white or yellow in the center with a red border and can cause burning, tingling, or sharp pain when you eat, drink, or talk.

Most minor canker sores heal on their own within 1–3 weeks, with pain often improving after 7–10 days. Larger or clustered sores can hurt more and may need professional treatment.

Home Treatments You Can Try

These options are common, but if you have allergies, are pregnant, breastfeeding, or have chronic illnesses, ask a professional before trying new products.

Simple rinses and soothing options

  • Saltwater rinse
    • Mix 1/2 teaspoon of salt in 1/2 cup of warm water, swish gently for 15–30 seconds, then spit.
* Can sting but may dry the sore and reduce bacteria.
  • Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) rinse
    • Dissolve 1 teaspoon baking soda in 1/2 cup water, swish 15–30 seconds, then spit.
* May help neutralize acids and reduce irritation.
  • Milk of magnesia dab
    • Dab a small amount directly on the sore a few times per day.
* Acts as a coating and may help with pain and healing.
  • Ice chips
    • Let small pieces of ice slowly melt over the sore to briefly numb pain.
  • Honey (if you’re not allergic and not giving to a child under 1 year)
    • Apply a tiny bit on the sore several times per day; honey may help with pain and healing.

Targeted home applications (use cautiously)

  • Diluted hydrogen peroxide (3%)
    • Mix equal parts 3% hydrogen peroxide and water.
* Dab onto the sore with a cotton swab, then follow with a small amount of milk of magnesia on top.

* Do not swallow; use only as directed and not too frequently.
  • Coconut oil
    • Can be dabbed on the sore; it has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties and may reduce pain, especially if bacteria are contributing.
  • Chamomile tea bag compress
    • Steep a chamomile tea bag, let it cool until just warm, squeeze out excess water, and hold it gently against the sore for a few minutes.
* You can also rinse with cooled chamomile tea several times a day.

Avoid strong “DIY burns” like undiluted vinegar or aggressive acids on the sore, since they can worsen pain or irritation.

Over-the-Counter Medicines

If home care isn’t enough, pharmacy products can give stronger relief.

  • Numbing gels and liquids
    • Many canker sore products contain benzocaine or lidocaine to numb nerve endings and ease pain.
* Apply with a cotton swab directly to the sore, usually up to four times daily (follow the package directions).
  • Protective pastes/patches
    • Some products form a thin protective film over the sore to shield it from friction while eating or talking and may include mild medicine.
  • Medicinal mouth rinses
    • Prescription or pharmacy rinses may include steroids (like dexamethasone) to reduce inflammation or anesthetics like lidocaine for pain relief.
* These are especially helpful if you have multiple sores at once.

If you use any medicated product, read the label carefully, check age restrictions for children, and avoid using more frequently than recommended.

Everyday Habits That Speed Healing

A few small changes can make a big difference while the sore heals.

  • Brush gently with a soft-bristled toothbrush to avoid scraping the sore.
  • Consider a toothpaste without sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) if you get frequent canker sores, since SLS can irritate the lining of the mouth in some people.
  • Avoid foods that sting or scratch the sore:
    • Citrus (orange, lemon, grapefruit), tomatoes, vinegar-heavy foods.
* Spicy foods, very salty snacks, hard chips, toast crusts.
  • Manage stress with sleep, light exercise, or relaxation techniques, since stress can be a trigger for some people.

Why You Keep Getting Them (and When It’s Serious)

Canker sores can be triggered by several factors, often more than one at the same time.

Possible triggers include:

  • Minor injury inside the mouth (accidental bite, braces, sharp tooth, aggressive brushing).
  • Stress, fatigue, and illness.
  • Certain foods (citrus, acidic foods, nuts, chocolate, spicy dishes) in sensitive people.
  • Vitamin or mineral deficiencies (like vitamin B12, folate, iron) and some medical conditions.
  • Hormonal shifts and genetic tendency (family history).

You should see a dentist or doctor if:

  • The sore lasts longer than about 2 weeks or keeps getting worse.
  • You have very large sores or many sores at once.
  • Pain is so severe you cannot eat or drink properly.
  • You also have fever, diarrhea, rash, or feel generally very unwell.
  • Sores keep coming back frequently, which may suggest an underlying condition or deficiency.

They can prescribe stronger treatments such as corticosteroid rinses or tablets, special mouthwashes, or occasionally procedures like laser therapy for severe cases.

Quick HTML Table: At-Home Options

html

<table>
  <thead>
    <tr>
      <th>Method</th>
      <th>How it helps</th>
      <th>How to use</th>
      <th>Notes</th>
    </tr>
  </thead>
  <tbody>
    <tr>
      <td>Saltwater rinse</td>
      <td>Helps dry sore, reduces bacteria[web:1][web:3][web:9]</td>
      <td>1/2 tsp salt in 1/2 cup warm water, swish 15–30 seconds, spit[web:3][web:9]</td>
      <td>May sting briefly[web:3]</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Baking soda rinse</td>
      <td>May reduce acidity and irritation[web:3][web:9]</td>
      <td>1 tsp baking soda in 1/2 cup water, swish, spit[web:3][web:9]</td>
      <td>Safe if a little swallowed, but tastes salty[web:3]</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Milk of magnesia</td>
      <td>Coats sore and may ease pain[web:1][web:3][web:9]</td>
      <td>Dab directly on sore several times daily[web:1][web:3]</td>
      <td>Often used after diluted hydrogen peroxide[web:1][web:3]</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Honey</td>
      <td>Can reduce pain and support healing[web:9]</td>
      <td>Apply a thin layer to sore a few times per day[web:9]</td>
      <td>Do not give honey to children under 1 year[web:9]</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Hydrogen peroxide (diluted)</td>
      <td>Cleans sore and reduces bacteria[web:1][web:3]</td>
      <td>Mix equal parts 3% peroxide and water, dab on sore, then apply milk of magnesia[web:1][web:3]</td>
      <td>Do not swallow; do not overuse[web:1][web:3]</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Coconut oil</td>
      <td>Antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory; may lower pain[web:3]</td>
      <td>Dab or spread on sore several times daily[web:3]</td>
      <td>Safe for most people, but can be messy[web:3]</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Chamomile compress</td>
      <td>Has soothing, anti-inflammatory effects[web:3]</td>
      <td>Cool tea bag, hold to sore a few minutes or rinse with cooled tea[web:3]</td>
      <td>Repeat 3–4 times per day[web:3]</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Topical anesthetic gel</td>
      <td>Quick pain relief by numbing area[web:3][web:5][web:7]</td>
      <td>Apply with cotton swab as directed, usually up to 4 times daily[web:5]</td>
      <td>Check age limits and warnings on label[web:3][web:5]</td>
    </tr>
  </tbody>
</table>

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.