How long canker sores take to heal

Serious canker sores may take up to six weeks to heal. Canker sores usually heal without treatment. However, there are many helpful lifestyle changes you can make to treat canker sores.

Brush and floss your teeth regularly to prevent a bacterial infection. Avoid spicy foods to speed up the healing process. Drinking milk or eating yogurt or ice cream can also help reduce the pain.

Pain can sometimes be severe. You can lessen the discomfort by gargling with mouthwash or salt water. It may feel uncomfortable at first, but it will help reduce pain. Some ingredients in over-the-counter topical products can help relieve and heal sores, including:. Applying ice or tiny amounts of milk of magnesia to your sores can help relieve pain and promote healing.

Rinsing your mouth with a mixture of warm water and baking soda 1 tsp. Honey has been shown to be effective in treating canker sores as well. Your risk for developing canker sores increases if you have a family history of canker sores. Canker sores have various causes, and the most common ones include:. A deficiency in certain vitamins, such as B-3 niacin , B-9 folic acid , or B cobalamin , can make you more prone to getting canker sores. Zinc, iron , or calcium deficiencies can also trigger or worsen canker sores.

Cold sores are similar to canker sores. In the next stage, the typical yellow-gray ulcer forms, with redness surrounding the ulcer like a halo. During this period, the pain may increase. Finally, the healing stage begins, and healthy tissue starts closing over the sore.

The pain goes away as the ulcer gets smaller. The exact duration of each stage will vary among individuals, but the following timeline provides a guide of what to expect. The prodromal stage, before the canker sore appears, lasts 1—3 days.

The ulcer has usually fully formed by about the third day. This stage tends to last 3—6 days, but in some cases, it can be longer. The healing time frame of a canker sore depends on the type of lesion. There is no cure for canker sores. Treatments and strategies that may lessen the pain and promote healing include:.

People can purchase benzocaine pain liquid or protective gels or patches online. Certain underlying medical problems can sometimes be associated with recurring canker sores. These include:. A doctor may order additional tests if a person with canker sores has additional symptoms, such as a rash, stomach pain, or swollen lymph glands. They may recommend a biopsy for oral ulcers lasting longer than 3—4 weeks.

Canker sores are a common type of mouth ulcer that typically lasts 1—2 weeks. For example, if you have gotten canker sores in the past from hurting the inside of your mouth, you might help prevent them by chewing your food slowly and carefully, trying not to talk and chew at the same time, and using a soft-bristled toothbrush when you brush your teeth. If you have gotten canker sores in the past by eating foods that have a lot of acid such as citrus fruits or tomatoes and sharp or harsh foods such as bread crusts, corn chips, or potato chips , it might help to avoid these.

Other ways that might help to prevent canker sores include limiting your use of alcohol and tobacco and controlling the stress in your life. In general, it is important to get enough vitamins and minerals in your diet, like folic acid, vitamin B12, zinc, and iron. Author: Healthwise Staff. Gabica MD - Family Medicine. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor.

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Overview Medicare Coverage Options. Individuals and Families. Health and Wellness. Wellness Library. Canker Sores. Canker sore. Complex sores develop more often and tend to last longer. For canker sores that cause pain, many over-the-counter products can relieve symptoms and promote healing. Mouth rinses, topical pastes, or creams containing dexamethasone Decadron or lidocaine Akten, Glydo, Lidoderm help reduce inflammation. Pain relievers such as ibuprofen Advil, Motrin can alleviate inflammation.

Prolonged use of systemic corticosteroids has adverse effects, though, so an alternate course of treatment is recommended for people with chronic sores. You may even be a candidate for cauterization, in which a laser or chemical treatment is used to sear the affected tissue. You can make your own mouth rinses using a solution of salt and warm water or hydrogen peroxide and water.

Gargling with these but not swallowing them can help lessen irritation. Another home remedy you might try is an application of calming aloe vera gel. You can apply a mixture of half hydrogen peroxide and half water directly to the sore using a cotton swab, and then dab a small amount of Milk of Magnesia on the sore. Repeat this three to four times a day.

Since the cause of canker sores is unknown, you may not be able to prevent all outbreaks. But a few adjustments to your daily routine may reduce your number of outbreaks. Acidic foods and drinks can cause canker sores in some people, so avoid any foods that irritate your mouth.

Silver says. These foods might include pineapple , tomatoes, grapefruit, and oranges, and spicy or salty foods. Deficiencies that can contribute to canker sores include vitamin B12 , iron , zinc , and folic acid.

Eating a well-balanced diet or adequate supplementation is how you keep your immune system healthy and functioning at its best, notes Malkoff-Cohen. Improving your oral hygiene may also lower the risk for canker sores. Be gentle when brushing your teeth to avoid injuring or irritating the delicate skin inside your mouth.

And make sure you brush and floss on every day to keep your mouth clean and eliminate bacteria. As an added precaution, stay away from oral products that contain sodium lauryl sulfate, in case you have a sensitivity to this ingredient.