Home remedies for mouth sores

Katie Schill, FNP

Family Medicine

Mouth sores can be common, especially with viral illnesses. If you have a mouth sore, or canker sore, Prisma Health nurse practitioner Katie Schill said there are a few home remedies to help relieve pain and speed up healing.

She recommends the following:

• Gargle with warm, salt-water several times a day.
• Apply liquid Maalox with a cotton swab to the sore.
• Avoid spicy, salty or acidic food.

Katie added, “Some people do better with eating or drinking hot items while dealing with mouth sores, while others do better with cold items. It’s really a matter of experimentation.”

Katie said if your mouth sores are so painful they are preventing you from drinking anything at all, or if you have a mouth sore that is not going away, it’s time to see your primary care provider or a same-day care provider.