Treating and Supporting Canker Sores

First, it’s important to note, canker sores and cold sores are NOT the same thing. 

A canker sore is a small ulcer the develops on the soft tissue on the inside of the mouth. They are painful, and triggered by mouth injuries, stress, illness, hormonal changes, acidic or irritating foods, and sometimes nutrient deficiencies. They are NOT contagious. 

A cold sore is a fluid-filled blister caused by HSV-1. They typically appear right on or next to the lips, sometimes the chin, cheek, nose, or inside the mouth on the gums. They are contagious, and once infected the virus can stay dormant and reactivate with triggers like illness, stress, sun exposure, hormonal changes, weakened immune system.

Aloe Vera Gel

Aloe vera contains acemennan which can decrease inflammation and help shrink ulcers faster. When used as a gel it can also create a soothing barrier over the ulcer. 

Licorice Root

Licorice root has been studied as patches, paste, mouth rinses, and other topical applications, and systematic reviews have found improvement in pain, ulcer size, and overall healing time. 

Red Light Therapy

Research on LLLT therapy/photobiomodulation has found reductions in pain and healing time. We personally use our red light about every ~6 hours.

LUMEBOX will give you a wider variety of uses IMO, but I do love our Usuie wand for more localized canker sore support. 

The following have been studied in human clinical trials and show promising results, but the evidence is still limited and varies in quality compared to the previous options. 

• Propolis

• Chamomile

• Curcumin: The clinical research used Curenext Oral Gel (10 mg/g Curcuma longa extract) applied directly to the ulcer, not a curcumin supplement.

Things You Probably Already Have in Your Kitchen

Warm salt water: Rinsing with warm salt water can gently cleanse the area and can help soothe discomfort while the ulcer heals.

Baking soda paste: Making a baking soda paste with a small amount of baking soda and a few drops of water to form a paste can can help neutralize acids in the mouth and soothe irritation. Let paste sit for 1-2 min, and do this 2-3x a day. 

Raw honey: Clinical trials have found topical honey may reduce pain, ulcer size, and healing time.

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Manuka Honey

I’m stingy with my Manuka honey because it’s $$, but this is a time when I might whip it out. Manuka contains methylglyoxal (MGO), a compound responsible for most of its antibacterial activity.  It’s thicker than regular honey and can help coat and protect raw tissue.

Manuka hasn’t specifically been well studied for canker sores (although, honey has!!), but it has been studied in other oral care areas like plaque, gingivitis, periodontal health, radiation-induced oral mucositis, dry mouth. 

Clove Oil

Clove oil has a numbing effect on the gums that studies have shown to work as well as benzocaine. Keep in mind clove is a VERY hot oil. I highly recommend diluting with a carrier oil before applying.

My husband used to use both debacterol and benzocaine when he had canker sores, but has since started using clove. He says that benzocaine and debacterol (sulfonated phenolics and sulfuric acid) are faster acting and provide a stronger “immediate” relief, but clove...while not as strong...provides a longer relief. 

Hypochlorus Acid

HOCl is a molecule our white blood cells naturally produce as part of the immune response to help fight pathogens. We use HOCL to gently cleanse the open ulcer and support the local wound healing.