What Helps with Mouth Sores? How Do They Heal?

Oral and dental health is important for aesthetics and overall health. Mouth sores can affect daily functions like speaking and eating. These sores can appear as minor cuts that heal quickly or as painful canker sores. While natural gargles may help in treatment, recurring sores could indicate serious conditions and should be taken seriously. It’s important to consult an ENT specialist or dentist for such cases.

What is a Mouth Sore?

Mouth sores refer to mucosal damage occurring on the lips, tongue, under the tongue, palate, gums, and inner cheeks. They may result from consuming hot substances or accidental bites, healing on their own, or appear as painful sores caused by viral infections, such as cold sores. One of the most common lesions in the mouth is canker sores, also known as aphthous ulcers. These lesions are typically white, inflamed, and very painful. Canker sores, which often occur during flu infections, usually heal on their own within a few days. Frequent or persistent canker sores are often associated with underlying conditions that suppress the immune system, requiring medical investigation. Gum diseases and dental abscesses can also cause mouth sores. It has been observed that mouth sores are more common in women than in men.

Types of Mouth Sores

Mouth sores can appear in various forms, each potentially indicating different health issues.

Canker Sores (Aphthous Ulcers)
These are painful sores with a white center and a red border. They typically occur inside the mouth, not on the lips, and can appear as small, large, or clustered sores. Frequent recurrence of canker sores is often linked to immune system issues.

Cold Sores
Caused by the herpes simplex virus, these painful, fluid-filled lesions usually appear on or around the lips. Cold sores are triggered by the dormant herpes simplex virus, often resurfacing during flu infections or when the immune system is weakened.

Oral Thrush
Also known as candidiasis, these lesions are caused by the fungus Candida albicans. They appear as soft, painless, yellowish-white spots on the mucosa, often found in infants, denture wearers, or individuals with weakened immune systems.

Leukoplakia
These white, off-white, or sometimes yellowish lesions can be slightly raised and have a smooth or rough texture. They are typically seen on the tongue or inside the mouth and are often linked to smoking or smokeless tobacco use. Leukoplakia usually resolves once the irritation stops.

Erythroplakia
This is the red version of the lesions described in leukoplakia.

Lichen Planus
These purple, slightly raised lesions, often seen on the tongue, are a characteristic feature of lichen planus.

Symptoms of Mouth Sores

Symptoms of mouth sores include:

• Red or white sores in the mouth that stand out from surrounding tissue.
• Inflammation in the lesion.
• Swelling, pain, and tenderness around the sore.
• Difficulty speaking or chewing due to pain and stinging in the lesion area.
• Pain while brushing teeth.
• Loss of appetite due to discomfort.
• Sore throat.
• Fever.

What Causes Persistent Mouth Sores?

Mouth sores typically heal on their own within 1-2 days. In some cases, lesions may persist for up to 10 days. If mouth sores do not heal during this time or if there are frequent recurrences, underlying causes should be investigated. Nutritional deficiencies, particularly vitamin C and other vitamin deficiencies, as well as tobacco use, can lead to recurrent mouth sores. Recurrent lesions can also occur in diseases that suppress the immune system. One of the main symptoms of Behçet's disease, a rheumatic condition, is the presence of recurrent aphthous ulcers in the mouth.

Mouth Sores During Pregnancy

During pregnancy, hormonal activity in the body increases. As a result, pregnant women frequently experience gum problems and gingivitis, particularly due to the effects of estrogen. The gums become sensitive, swell easily, and bleed more often. To prevent these issues, oral and dental hygiene should be prioritized and maintained during pregnancy.

Mouth Sores in Infants and Children

In infants born vaginally, sores around or inside the mouth can occur due to fungal infections transmitted from the mother. In infants without immune system problems, these lesions typically heal on their own. Additionally, sucking infants may develop white lesions in the mouth known as thrush. Poor oral hygiene can also lead to thrush in children who do not maintain adequate oral care. While rare, cold sores can also occur during febrile illnesses in children.

What Helps Mouth Sores?

Mouth sores are generally treated using natural gargles. Humans have utilized natural methods to address the question of how to heal mouth sores since ancient times. If mouth sores do not respond to natural methods, antibiotic or antiviral agents may be used. Antiviral creams can be beneficial for treating cold sores on the lips. Here are some natural remedies that may help heal mouth sores:

Natural Remedies for Mouth Sores:

• Baking Soda
  Baking soda is commonly used for lesions in the mouth. Its anti-inflammatory properties help both heal the sore and relieve pain. A mixture of one teaspoon of baking soda with a small amount of warm water should be prepared to a paste-like consistency and applied to the sore for a period of time before rinsing with clean, warm water.
• Salt
  Gargling with saltwater can be beneficial for treating mouth sores. Salt also alleviates the pain of canker sores. One teaspoon of regular table salt is dissolved in half a glass of warm water, and gargling can be done several times a day, holding the solution in the mouth for 15-30 seconds before swallowing.
• Clove Oil
  Clove oil has pain-relieving properties and can be used to alleviate pain from painful oral lesions similar to canker sores.
• Aloe Vera
  The gel from the aloe vera plant can be directly applied to the sore to reduce pain and accelerate the healing process. Aloe vera juice has a similar effect and has also been observed to be beneficial for other oral lesions, such as chapped lips and cold sores.
• Licorice Root
  The natural healing properties of licorice root can yield positive results for mouth sores.
• Coconut Oil
  Coconut oil is a natural antimicrobial agent. When mixed with sesame oil or other edible oils, coconut oil gargles have been used for the treatment of mouth sores since ancient times.
• Sage
  Sage, one of the oldest known antimicrobial plants, can also be used to treat mouth sores. Easily found in leaf form, sage can be brewed in hot water and used for gargling or held in the mouth. Sage gargles help maintain oral hygiene by reducing inflammation and providing relief from pain.

Persistent or frequently recurring mouth sores despite the mentioned natural remedies may indicate more serious health issues. In such cases, do not hesitate to schedule an appointment with an ear, nose, and throat specialist or a dentist.