1. What are mouth ulcers?
Mouth ulcers are a common disease that can occur at any age and in any subject. Although the disease is not dangerous to health, it greatly affects the daily life of patients, especially in eating and communicating.
Mouth ulcers usually last for about 1 week or more. Symptoms of the disease are white or yellow spots appearing in the oral cavity, small in size, with a red border around them, causing pain and burning. The ulcers form and develop on the lips, cheeks, gums, under the tongue, etc. Normally, the ulcers do not spread and do not penetrate deep into the epidermis, but they can cause pain and discomfort when eating and drinking (especially when eating sour, spicy, and hot foods).
Causes of mouth ulcers can be due to: Impaired liver function (accumulation of toxins, forming ulcers in the mouth), weak immune system (microorganisms attack the body, creating ulcers in the oral cavity), mouth damage (due to brushing teeth too hard or falling, forming ulcers), lack of nutrients (lack of vitamins B9, B12, C, zinc, iron,... easily causes mouth ulcers).
2. Effective ways to treat mouth ulcers at home
Usually, after about 1 - 2 weeks, mouth ulcers will heal on their own, leaving no scars. In case of mouth ulcers last for a long time, causing pain and discomfort, you can refer to and apply the fastest ways to treat mouth ulcers at home below:
2.1. Apply salt water
Using salt water is not an effective way to treat mouth ulcers in 1 day, but it is very safe, easy to do and inexpensive. Salt water has high antiseptic properties, and is safe and benign. Gargling with salt water every day will reduce pain and burning in the mouth ulcer area, quickly drying the mouth ulcer.
You can mix salt water to gargle in the following way: Dissolve about 5g of salt with 230ml of warm water and use this water to gargle for about 15 - 30 seconds, then spit it out. You should gargle so that the salt water goes deep into the throat but do not swallow. Do it 2-3 times a day and you will soon see the effect. If you don't want to mix it yourself, you can buy bottled salt water to gargle at pharmacies.
2.2. Use honey
Honey has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and anti-secondary infection effects, helping mouth ulcers not to become red, swollen, or painful. There are many methods of treating mouth ulcers with honey that you can apply at home.
Specifically, you can apply honey directly to mouth ulcers 4 times a day. Or you can make hot tea, add a little honey to drink every day, and drink slowly so that the solution penetrates the ulcer. In addition, you can also use honey combined with turmeric powder, mix it into a mixture, and apply it to the mouth ulcers 2-3 times a day.
2.3. Use yogurt
According to research, yogurt contains live lactobacillus probiotics, which help balance the digestive tract bacteria. Sometimes mouth ulcers appear due to HP bacteria or inflammatory bowel disease. Therefore, you can eat yogurt every day after meals to balance the intestinal microflora, help cure mouth ulcers and protect the stomach.
2.4. Use baking soda
One of the ways to quickly and safely cure mouth ulcers is to gargle with baking soda. This is a type of baking soda that helps balance the pH in the oral cavity, helping to reduce inflammation so that mouth ulcers heal quickly.
How to mix baking soda mouthwash: Dissolve 5g of baking soda in 230ml. Then, gargle with the above solution for about 15 - 30 seconds and then spit it out. Gargle about 2 - 3 times a day until the mouth ulcers are gone.
2.5. Use coconut oil
Coconut oil has good antibacterial properties due to its natural lauric acid. For mouth ulcers, you should use coconut oil early to reduce pain, reduce swelling and shorten wound healing time. To treat, take a sufficient amount of pure coconut oil and apply it to the mouth ulcers several times a day. Note, you need to limit swallowing saliva after applying coconut oil so that it can cover the mouth ulcers.
2.6. Use chamomile tea
Chamomile tea has a pleasant aroma, and a naturally delicious taste, helps to relax and has the effect of reducing pain, and healing wounds very well. This type of tea contains levomenol and azulene - 2 substances that can disinfect and effectively fight inflammation. To treat mouth ulcers, use a chamomile tea bag to apply on the mouth ulcer for a few minutes. In addition, you can also mix chamomile tea with warm water, and use it to rinse your mouth 3-4 times/day until the mouth ulcer is cured.
2.7. Use dry tea leaves
The tannin in tea leaves has the effect of treating mouth ulcers quickly and effectively. Every time you drink tea, you should keep the tea bag to apply directly to the mouth ulcer. This is a highly effective way to treat mouth ulcers, helping to reduce pain, reduce swelling and effectively fight inflammation.
2.8. Use specialized mouthwash
You can use dental mouthwash to control and relieve inflammation and infection in the mouth (canker sores). Specialized mouthwashes help promote wound healing and prevent prevent sores from recurring.
Use mouthwash according to instructions, rinsing your mouth 2-3 times/day until the ulcers are controlled. Note that you should not use mouthwash to treat ulcers for a long time, but should follow your doctor's instructions (to avoid side effects).
2.9. Supplement vitamins for the body
To increase the body's immune system responds to a bacteria that cause canker sores, you need to have a reasonable and scientific diet by adding foods rich in vitamins to your menu. Vitamins that are good for the body include: Vitamin B (found in fish eggs, soy milk, rice milk, etc.), folic acid (found in spinach, kale, asparagus, etc.), iron (found in oysters, cereals, eggs, chicken liver, etc.), coconut water (soothes ulcers), etc.
3. Some home remedies for mouth ulcers according to oriental medicine
3.1 Using lozenges
Lozenges for mouth ulcers include:
• Boil the leaves of Andrographis paniculata, gargle and gargle 3-4 times/day;
• Prepare 20g of Coptis chinensis, boil thoroughly with 100ml, gargle 3-4 times/day;
• Prepare 50g of honey + 15g of Atractylodes Rhizome, boil thoroughly, take the water and gargle several times a day.
3.2 Oral remedies for mouth ulcers
In cases where the oral mucosa has painful ulcers, red and swollen gums, painful eating and drinking, hot body, restless sleep, red urine, frequent headaches, dry throat, constipation, etc., patients can apply the following methods to treat mouth ulcers:
• Remedy 1: 30g gypsum, 20g Scrophularia, 20g Astragalus membranaceus Bunge, 15g Rehmannia glutinosa, 15 Achyranthes, 10g Rhizoma Anemarrhenac, decoct and drink twice a day in the morning and evening;
• Remedy 2: 12g honeysuckle, 12g forsythia, 10g anemarrhena, 10g Phellodendron, 12g Rehmannia, 10g Scrophularia, 16g perilla leaves, 16g white hairy root, 16g ophiopogon, 12g codonopsis, 12g achyranthes, 12g poria, 16g bamboo leaves, 16g Rehmannia root, 20g eclipta, 10g tangerine peel. Boil the herbs and drink 1 dose per day, divided into 3 doses per day, each treatment period lasts 5-7 days;
• Remedy 3: 12g Scutellaria baicalensis, 12g Gardenia fruit, 12g Forsythia fruit, 12g Angelica dahurica, 12g Rehmannia glutinosa, 20g Gotu kola, 16g Bitter melon, 16g Mulberry leaves, 20g Eclipta prostrata, 20g Polyscias fruticosa, 20g Dandelion, 20g Smilax glabra, 16g Licorice. Boil the herbs and drink 1 dose per day, divided into 3 doses per day.
In severe cases, if the patient has difficulty eating, and sleeping, is weak and tired, sweats a lot, lacks concentration, has palpitations, constipation, and red urine,... then one of the following 2 prescriptions can be used:
• Remedy 1: 12g Coptis chinensis, 12g Scutellaria baicalensis, 12g Platycodon grandiflorum, 10g Euryale ferox. Boil the herbs and drink 1 dose per day, divided into 2 doses per day;
• Remedy 2: 12g honeysuckle, 12g forsythia, 20g pennywort, 20g eclipta, 20g Erythrina indica Lamk leaves, 12g anemarrhena, 16g Radix Glehniae, 20g Radix Ophiopogonis japonici, 12g Rehmannia glutinosa, 20g licorice, 12g salted apricot, 16g bamboo leaves, 20g Folium Mori albae, 16g Angelica, 16g Concha Ostreae. Boil the herbs and drink 1 dose per day, divided into 3 times/day, each treatment period lasts 5-7 days;
3.3 Dishes to support the treatment of mouth ulcers
People with mouth ulcers can also use dishes that help clear heat such as:
• Celery soup - pig brain: Prepare 1 pig brain, 10 jujubes, 100g celery, and enough spices. Then, cook the pig brain and jujube first until soft, then add the washed and chopped celery, cook for a while, add more spices, and eat with rice;
• Pumpkin and green bean sweet soup: Prepare 150g pumpkin, 100g green beans, and enough white sugar. Peel the pumpkin, and cut it into large pieces; wash the green beans, then put them in the pot with the pumpkin, cook until soft, add sugar, scoop into a bowl, and eat cold.
4. Measures to prevent mouth ulcers
Careful prevention will help you avoid having to "rely" on ways to treat mouth ulcers when you encounter this condition. Here are some measures to help you control the risk factors that lead to mouth ulcers:
• Reduce damage to the mouth by using a toothbrush with soft bristles, eating slowly and chewing thoroughly with foods that are not too hard to reduce the risk of biting the tongue and inside the cheeks;
• Supplement your body with vitamins and minerals, especially vitamin B, zinc and iron;
• Limit foods that cause heat in the body such as alcohol, beer, spicy foods, hot fruits, etc.;
• Reduce stress, and fatigue, avoid sleeping late, and staying up late by doing yoga, meditation, tai chi or deep breathing exercises, etc.;
• Clean your mouth by brushing your teeth (you can brush your teeth with salt) and using mouthwash;
• Exercise regularly to improve your health, muscles, balance, resistance, etc. of the body.
Most mouth ulcers will heal on their own without causing complications. However, you can apply the above methods to treat mouth ulcers to shorten the time it takes for mouth ulcers to heal on their own. You should also note that if the mouth ulcers get bigger and spread, more ulcers appear, severe pain, fever, rash, headache, etc., you should go see a doctor for timely treatment.
To arrange an appointment, please call HOTLINE or make your reservation directly HERE. You may also download the MyVinmec app to schedule appointments faster and manage your reservations more conveniently.
