Inflammation of the tissues in the mouth can be caused by a variety of things, from injury, fluid-filled sores due to herpes virus infection, to gingivitis. However, inflammation caused by mouth ulcers and other conditions can be treated in several ways. You can also do several things to relieve the pain and discomfort you are experiencing.
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Method 1 of 5: Treating Mouth Ulcers
Step 1. Understand mouth ulcers
A common cause of inflammation in the mouth is ulcers. Mouth ulcers, also known as stomatitis, vary widely in shape and size, and are caused by a variety of different factors. This problem can be caused by the herpes virus (causing fluid-filled sores), oral thrush, yeast infections, tobacco use, medications, fungal infections, injuries, and some systemic diseases.
See a doctor or dentist for a sore mouth ulcer that lasts more than 10 days
Step 2. Stay away from certain foods and drinks
Ulcers are painful and can last anywhere from 5 to 14 days. Avoiding certain foods and drinks can help heal inflammation, reduce pain, and shorten the duration of your illness. To reduce irritation, avoid hot foods and drinks, as well as foods that are salty, spicy, or acidic. Such foods can exacerbate irritation of the oral tissues.
Foods and drinks to avoid include coffee, tea, hot red peppers, foods containing chili powder or cayenne pepper, salty soups and broths, and fruits such as oranges and grapefruit
Step 3. Treat mouth ulcers from tobacco
Tobacco-induced ulcers are called aphthous ulcers, which are also known as oral thrush. This irritation can be cured by reducing or stopping the use of tobacco products. If you continue to use it, the sores in the mouth will take longer to heal and recur.
Step 4. Treat yeast infection
Yeast infections in the mouth can cause candidiasis of the tongue due to the attack of the candida fungus (which causes vaginal yeast infections) in the mouth. Candidiasis can cause inflammation and pain in the mouth. Candidiasis can also cause mouth ulcers. Inflammation due to yeast infection can be cured with the use of drugs from a doctor.
These drugs can be used in both healthy adults and children for 10 to 14 days and are available as lozenges, syrups, or tablets. However, children and adults with weakened immune systems require different treatments
Step 5. Treat ulcers caused by drugs
Some medications, such as anticancer drugs, can cause mouth ulcers. Drugs like these are able to kill growing cells but do not attack cancer cells specifically, as a result, cells in the mouth that also grow and multiply rapidly are also killed. These sores are painful and can last for more than 2 weeks.
Sores from these medications can be treated using a topical pain reliever that is applied directly to the mouth. Medicines like these can also numb the mouth, so be careful when eating or brushing your teeth after applying it
Step 6. Treat mouth ulcers in general
If you're not sure what's causing it, there are some general guidelines you can use to relieve pain and discomfort in your mouth. In addition to techniques for treating and preventing some types of ulcers, you can also:
- Use a coating to protect the wound and reduce the pain you experience when you eat and drink.
- Avoid hard or sharp foods such as chips, crackers, and pretzels.
- Limit or stop the consumption of alcohol that can irritate an already sore mouth. This includes alcohol consumption as well as the use of mouthwashes and oral sprays.
- Eat smaller portions more often, and cut food into smaller pieces to reduce irritation in the mouth.
- Talk to your doctor about using a special foam for cleaning teeth to reduce physical irritation if brushing is too painful.
Method 2 of 5: Using Drugs
Step 1. Use pain medication
Over-the-counter pain relievers can help reduce inflammation and pain from mouth ulcers. Try using a pain reliever such as ibuprofen or paracetamol. These pain relievers may not heal the ulcer, but they can help relieve the pain it causes as it heals.
- You can also use a topical medication such as Anbesol which is applied locally to relieve pain.
- Use medication for children and adults as directed.
Step 2. Treat the ulcer with over-the-counter medications
Various types of drugs can help treat mouth ulcers. Topical corticosteroids such as triamcinolone paste or Orabase can help treat sores on the lips or gums. Meanwhile, Blistex and Campho-Phenique can relieve pain due to oral thrush and herpes infections.
These medications can give the best results when applied topically from the first mouth ulcer
Step 3. Use prescription medication
If your mouth ulcer is serious enough, you can use prescription medication. Your doctor may prescribe Zovirax or Denavir, which can shorten the healing time of the ulcer by half. This drug can also reduce pain due to inflammation.
If your herpes infection is severe enough, your doctor may prescribe an antiviral medication that can be used to treat stomatitis caused by the herpes simplex virus. These antiviral drugs include acyclovir, valaciclovir, and famciclovir
Method 3 of 5: Treating Mouth Sores due to Dental Problems
Step 1. Understand gingivitis
Gingivitis and gum disease are irritation and infection of the gum tissue resulting in an inflammatory and painful response. Gingivitis occurs when plaque is not removed from the teeth. As a result, harmful bacteria cause the gums to turn red, swell, and bleed easily. Gum disease can loosen the gums from the teeth and form pockets or fissures that become increasingly infected.
Bacterial toxins and the body's natural response can destroy the connective tissue between the gums and bones, resulting in inflammation and pain
Step 2. Control the infection
Treatment of inflammation due to gingivitis or gum disease is determined by its severity. The main goal is to control the infection that triggers inflammation. You should get used to all the treatments every day at home, namely:
- Clean between your teeth with floss every day
- Brushing teeth 2 times a day
- Reduce alcohol intake and use of mouthwash
- Reduce sugar intake
Step 3. Treat the infection
To help fight infection and relieve inflammation, your dentist will remove plaque by deep cleaning it. After this procedure, the bleeding and swelling of the gums will decrease. Even so, you still have to get used to cleaning your teeth and mouth properly at home.
- If the infection is severe enough, your dentist may prescribe antibiotics to help fight the infection, which can also reduce inflammation.
- If medication and plaque removal are not enough, your doctor may recommend surgery to clean the tooth closer to its roots and help restore bone and connective tissue.
Step 4. Understand about cavities in teeth
Cavities in teeth are caused by an infection that causes permanent damage to the hard surface of the teeth. Frequent snacks, sugary drinks, not brushing your teeth, and the presence of natural bacteria in your mouth can increase the risk of cavities forming. Dental cavities and caries are one of the most common health problems in the world, and are experienced by all ages.
Step 5. Fix the hole in the tooth
Inflammation and discomfort caused by cavities in teeth cannot be cured until the cavities are filled. To treat the hole, the dentist may fill it. The material used for filling teeth is a composite resin, porcelain, or silver amalgam with a tooth-like color.
- Silver amalgam contains mercury but is considered safe by the FDA. However, if you are allergic to any component of the amalgam (silver, lead, copper, or mercury), oral lesions may develop as a result. So, tell your dentist about your allergies.
- If your dental caries is severe, a dental crown may be used. This dental crown is a cover specially designed to protect the top of the tooth. Root canal treatment may also be needed to repair or save a damaged or infected tooth, rather than having to remove it.
- If the tooth is too damaged, extraction may be necessary. If you decide to have a tooth extracted, you may need dentures or a bridge denture to prevent the other teeth from shifting.
Step 6. Treat the braced teeth
Braces are usually used by dentists to straighten or correct the shape of teeth. Braces have so many components and often injure the mouth, and they can also trigger oral thrush. To fix this, gargle with warm salt water several times a day to reduce inflammation and speed healing. Also try:
- Eat soft foods to reduce irritation to tissues.
- Avoid spicy foods, alcohol, mouthwash, and hard foods like potato chips and crackers.
- Make a paste of baking soda and water and then place it on the mouth sores.
Method 4 of 5: Using Natural Treatments
Step 1. Use water
Intake of more water for the body can help relieve inflammation of the mouth, especially those caused by oral thrush. Water will help relieve discomfort from inflammation, and fight infection. You can also use salt water to relieve pain and speed healing of the mouth.
To use salt water as a treatment, pour a large amount of salt into a cup of warm water and stir until dissolved. Pour water into your mouth and gargle all over your mouth, especially the injured area. Drain the water after about a minute, and repeat gargling again with the rest
Step 2. Apply aloe vera
Aloe vera has natural healing and anti-inflammatory properties. Aloe vera contains saponins, a chemical compound that has antibacterial properties. This plant is also known to relieve and reduce pain in inflamed body parts. To use it:
- Prepare an aloe vera leaf and cut it open. Apply the flowing gel directly to the inflamed area. Do this treatment 3 times a day for best results.
- You can also buy aloe vera gel that is specifically intended for use in the mouth. Again, apply the gel directly to the inflamed area. Give this treatment 3 times a day for best results.
- Avoid swallowing aloe vera gel if possible.
Step 3. Suck ice cubes
Cold water and ice can help relieve pain and inflammation in the mouth. The concept is the same as ice therapy on an injured knee, namely the cold temperature will reduce the number of blood cells that flow to the injured area thereby reducing swelling and pain. Ways of giving cold therapy to an inflamed mouth include:
- Suck on ice cubes, popsicles or ice cream
- Drink or gargle with cold water
- Put ice cubes in a plastic bag and then stick it on the inflamed part.
Step 4. Use tea tree
Tea tree oil has natural antiseptic properties that can help kill bacteria. This oil can also help control infection and speed up the healing process. This oil is especially useful in inflammation caused by gingivitis and gum disease. Tea tree oil is most often used as a mouthwash.
Make a mouthwash by pouring 10 drops of the oil into 1/3 cup of water. Swish it all over your mouth for 30 minutes then throw it away. Do not swallow this mouthwash. Rinse mouth with clean water afterward
Method 5 of 5: Preventing Mouth Ulcers in the Future
Step 1. Prevent sores from herpes infection
Formation of sores due to herpes infection requires arginine. Arginine is an amino acid found in foods such as walnuts, chocolate, sesame seeds, and soybeans. To prevent sores from herpes infection, avoid these foods. Instead, eat foods that contain the amino acid lysine, which can counteract the effects of arginine on sores caused by herpes infections. Foods rich in lysine include red meat, pork, poultry, cheese, eggs, and brewer's yeast. Pay attention to the comparison of intake of lysine and arginine to prevent the formation of sores due to herpes infection in the future.
You can also take a daily lysine supplement. Dosage is determined by several factors, so discuss your goals with your doctor
Step 2. Prevent yeast infections
You can prevent yeast infections by brushing your teeth twice a day, flossing between your teeth once a day, reducing or stopping the use of mouthwash, and not sharing eating utensils, which can spread infection from one person to another. If you have diabetes or wear dentures, pay special attention to your oral health as this may trigger a yeast infection.
Limit your intake of sugar or foods that contain yeast. Yeasts need sugar to reproduce and grow. Foods that contain yeast include bread, beer, and wine, which can promote yeast growth
Step 3. Seek medical attention
Sores in the mouth can be caused by things other than oral thrush or herpes infection. If mouth sores don't heal, it may be due to cancer, which is uncontrolled cell growth that invades other parts of the body and damages surrounding tissue. Oral cancer can attack the tongue, lips, floor of the mouth, cheeks, and the soft and hard palate of the mouth. This condition can threaten your safety if not diagnosed and left untreated.
- Look for lumps or thickening of oral tissue, sores that don't heal, white or red patches in the mouth, sore tongue, loose teeth, difficulty chewing, jaw pain, sore throat, and a feeling like something is stuck in the throat.
- Treatment to cure inflammation of the mouth due to this trigger requires immediate action from a doctor. Treatment measures include surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation.
