Canker sores are painful, shallow sores that develop in the mouth. In most cases, the sores will appear to red or may even have a white coating over them. Also known as aphthous ulcers, they are different to Cold sores in that they do not occur on the surface of the lips and are not contagious. However, because of the amount of pain they cause, they can cause quite some amount of discomfort while eating or talking. Before the actual development of the sore, you are likely to experience some amount of tingling or burning just before the red bump rises. Canker sores are very contagious and can be transferred from one person to another simply by way of sharing food or kissing someone. In most cases, the sores should last no longer than a couple of weeks. However, if the sore lasts longer than this period, you should really go and visit your doctor. Some people may also experience a chronic condition where canker sores seem to develop very regularly. Again, if you suffer from a chronic case of the condition, it is best that you visit your doctor for another opinion. Some other factors that increase the likelihood of suffering from canker sores are a faulty immune system, inflammatory bowel disease and excessive intake of certain foods like chocolate, strawberries, coffee and any kind of highly acidic food.
There are a number of home remedies that will prove effective when dealing with canker sores. One of the best options would be to rinse your mouth on a regular basis with aloe vera juice. Applying some amount of baking soda powder over the sore will help significantly. You could also try creating a solution by mixing 1 teaspoon of soda and 1 pinch of salt in a cup of warm water and gargle with it on a regular basis. When dealing with canker sores, you could also prepare a mouthwash by mixing 5 or 6 drops of the juice extract from grapefruit seeds in a glass of water. The kind of diet you consume will also play a significant role in the level at which the condition affects your daily life. Avoid any foods that are very spicy or acidic as they tend to increase the amount of pain you will experience. Also avoid any kind of dairy products or salty foods as well as foods that contain any significant amounts of animal protein.
answered by G M