What helps against aphthous ulcers?

The most important points in brief

• In principle, aphthae are not bad and you cannot infect anyone with them.
• However, the changes in the oral mucosa cannot be completely avoided. It is mostly just mechanical irritation in the mouth.
• The small blisters are still quite uncomfortable, and that means: You want to get rid of them quickly.
• But what really helps against aphthae? Find out more on this page.

Have you ever had canker sores in your mouth? Then you know how uncomfortable that can be. The white, painful blisters are triggered by changes in the oral mucous membrane; these are often small injuries that cannot always be avoided. If, for example, dentures are not stuck or bridges and crowns, such injuries occur - and you can also inflict the scratches yourself if, for example, you accidentally bite your tongue or the cheek.

How do aphthae develop? That has not yet been deciphered

Even old bristles from a toothbrush that has been used for a long time can cause microscopic cracks in the mouth. And they are already enough to cause aphthae to develop. However, what exactly has to happen in order for a canker sore to develop there - usually on the gums, tonsils or tongue - has still not been fully clarified by science

It is assumed that a weak immune system is responsible for aphthae, and bacteria or viruses are also possible. However, stress is just as possible a cause as a particular sensitivity of some people to certain foods, such as citrus fruits, tomatoes or nuts. Last but not least, it could be that a deficiency in vitamin B12, zinc, iron or folic acid promotes the development of aphthae.

By and large not bad

If you suffer from aphthous ulcers from time to time, then it is certainly annoying and uncomfortable, but not a problem, because the blisters usually disappear again after a few days. It certainly helps if you regularly use oral care items, but there are also a few home remedies that can help in this context. For example, rinsing with salt water is recommended.

The salt dries out the canker sores if you toss the solution (about a teaspoon of table salt to half a cup of warm water) in your mouth for half a minute and then spit it out. You can repeat this every few hours. A teaspoon of apple cider vinegar mixed with a cup of water also helps the vinegar kill bacteria - but the pain on the open blisters in the mouth can be too painful.

Oil and aloe vera fight bacteria and relieve pain, zinc prevents

If you prefer to use oil instead of vinegar, use an edible oil, such as sesame oil or coconut oil. However, you should not dilute this in your mouth before tossing it in order not to reduce the antibacterial effect. You can achieve a more pain-relieving effect with clove oil.

Gel or juice made from or with aloe vera reduces pain and at the same time ensures faster healing of the aphthae. But this remedy can also be used for other mouth problems such as cold sores or chapped, dry lips. As mentioned above, a lack of zinc (or folic acid, vitamin B12 and iron) can promote the development of aphthae. With zinc supplements you prevent the formation of aphthae, at the same time you support your immune system.