Canker sores can be very annoying and often quite painful. Canker sores are those shallow ulcers that form in the soft tissue of your cheek. Canker sores can be due to an injury, nutritional deficiencies, stress, genetic, or due to menstruation. In most cases, they will go away on their own in about a week or two. However, you will more than likely desire a way to ease the pain.

Some of the things you can do to treat canker sores include:

• Stay away from spicy foods such as chili
• Use a soft bristle toothbrush so you do not agitate the sores
• Use a sodium laurel sulfate free toothpaste
• After brushing your teeth, you should rinse your mouth with a good mouthwash or even salt water.
• You can place small pieces of ice on the sores to numb the pain
• You can use an oral anesthetic to numb the pain

Natural home remedies can also help in most cases, which include:

• Ice like stated above is a great way to at least numb the area for a while. You must leave the ice on the sore until it totally dissolves.
• Instead of only rinsing your mouth after brushing your teeth, rinse at least three times per day with salt water.
• You can also use hydrogen peroxide mixed with warm water
• Goldenseal root tea is also another great aid for rinsing your mouth
• While rinsing you should swish the liquid around your mouth this help the item used to aid in healing the canker sore
• Some people use German chamomile extract to help with the pain.
• Other items used for the pain include burdock, sage, and Lady’s mantle. (When using any type of herbs, be sure to read the instructions and follow them precisely)
• Begin taking vitamins if you do not regularly. A few studies have shown an increase in canker sores with individuals that have low levels of vitamin B. Some vitamins and minerals such as folic acid, Vitamin C, and iron also have been noted to help heal canker sores.
• Yogurt is another great home remedy that tastes great. Yogurt not only promotes healing, but also can play a role in preventing canker sores.
• Baking soda can be used as a paste or mouthwash as well.

If you do not see any improvement in two week, or you have problems with canker sores more often than three times per year, you should talk with your doctor.