Thrush is a disturbing and very painful condition. This condition is triggered by various factors, such as stress, illness, or simply by accidentally biting the cheek. However, there are several methods that have been proven to be able to get rid of canker sores in a short time.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Trying Home Remedies
Step 1. Gargle with a salt water solution
Mix 1 or 2 tsp. salt with a glass of warm water and dissolve. Gargle with the solution from one side of your mouth to the other, then spit it out. Do not swallow.
Repeat several times a day, generally after meals and at bedtime
Step 2. Try gargling with a baking soda solution
Baking soda is an alternative to a salt solution. Dissolve 1 tsp. baking soda in half a glass of warm water. Gargle in the same way as using salt water.
Step 3. Use mouthwash
Wash the inside of the mouth to kill bacteria and relieve pain. Almost any mouthwash can be used. Gargle every morning and evening, and also after lunch.
- Never swallow mouthwash.
- In some cases, antiseptics (including mouthwash) can cause or worsen canker sores. If your mouthwash causes irritation or pain, stop using it until the thrush is gone. You can also try an alcohol-free mouthwash.
Step 4. Use milk of magnesia
Buy milk of magnesia at a store or pharmacy. Gently apply it on the thrush several times a day. Milk of magnesia can have a calming effect and speed healing.
Step 5. Use hydrogen peroxide
Make a solution of half water and half 3% hydrogen peroxide, you only need a little. Wet a cotton swab with the solution, and apply it on the thrush. Do it once to clean the canker sore area, then moisten a new cotton bud and place it on the thrush for a few seconds. Do it in the morning and evening.
Do not swallow hydrogen peroxide solution. Use just enough to wet the cotton bud
Step 6. Apply honey
Grease thrush with a little pure honey. Honey can reduce pain and inflammation.
- First, dry the thrush area with a clean cotton swab, then use a new cotton swab to apply honey.
- Look for Manuka honey which has the most potent antibacterial properties. If you don't have one, don't worry because any honey can fight bacteria.
Step 7. Make a herbal mouthwash
Heat water with equal amounts of sage and chamomile. Once the water has cooled to a comfortable temperature, use it as a mouthwash. Some people find it useful to reduce the pain of canker sores, although there is not much research on this subject.
Use to gargle 4–6 times a day
Step 8. Drink the juice
In some people, carrot, celery, and cantaloupe juice can help treat canker sores. However, there are no studies on its effectiveness. Juice these fruits and vegetables separately or mix them into a smoothie to drink every day.
Method 2 of 3: Speed Up Recovery and Increase Convenience
Step 1. Suck ice cubes
Ice can reduce swelling and numb the pain. If you can, apply ice directly to the thrush with your tongue until the ice melts.
- Store ice cubes in a thermos or Styrofoam so they don't melt quickly, and use them throughout the day.
- If the ice cubes are too cold, try drinking cold water. Keep the water in your mouth and move it towards the sprue before swallowing it.
Step 2. Stay away from acidic and spicy foods
Spicy, acidic, and abrasive foods can irritate canker sores. These foods cause pain and delay healing. Eat plain and soft foods to support recovery.
Avoid carbonated drinks, all types of citrus, hard foods like toast, and all foods that are high in salt and seasoning
Step 3. Gently brush your teeth
The movement of the toothbrush that slips and rubs against the walls of the mouth can cause canker sores, and of course make existing canker sores even more painful. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush, and try not to touch the thrush.
Use toothpaste for sensitive teeth such as Biotene or Sensodyne until the canker sores are gone
Step 4. Use a pain reliever
If the thrush doesn't go away as quickly as you'd like, at least try to feel comfortable. Take a pain reliever such as ibuprofen, or use an over-the-counter numbing gel. You can buy it at a pharmacy.
- If you have a medical problem or are taking other medications, talk to your pharmacist or doctor before choosing a thrush medication.
- Do not take aspirin if you are under 16 years of age. Never give aspirin to young children.
Step 5. Suck lozenges
You can buy them in stores or pharmacies. Although they have not been shown to help, some people find lozenges to reduce discomfort and speed up recovery. Use according to the directions on the package.
Step 6. Try taking a vitamin supplement
Vitamins B and C may help heal thrush although further study is needed. Purchase vitamin supplements from a drug store or pharmacy after consulting your doctor or pharmacist. Use as recommended.
Step 7. Use lysine
Lysine, which is an amino acid, can help treat canker sores. However, further research is needed on its effectiveness. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if there is any reason you shouldn't use lysine.
Step 8. Try echinacea
Echinacea is an herb that is available in supplement form at drug stores or pharmacies. Because it works on the immune system, echinacea supports the healing of canker sores. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about its safe use.
Method 3 of 3: Seeking Medical Treatment
Step 1. Visit a doctor for large or very painful canker sores
Most canker sores will go away on their own within a week or two. Medical help is needed for canker sores that are quite large, are very large, are very painful, do not heal after three weeks or spread, or are accompanied by a fever. See a GP or dentist. There are many medications and treatments that can help.
Your doctor can make sure your problem is really thrush, not a tooth abscess or rare oral cancer
Step 2. Ask about topical pain medications
You can buy over-the-counter medications, but some require a prescription. It's best to ask your doctor or pharmacist what medicine is best for you. There are a number of pastes, creams, liquids, and gels that can relieve pain and speed recovery. Use a product that contains one of the following ingredients:
- Fluocinonide (Lidex, Vanos)
- Benzocaine (Anbesol, Kank-A, Zilactin-B, Orabase)
- Hydrogen peroxide (Orajel Antiseptic Mouth Sore Rinse, Peroxyl)
Step 3. Ask for a special mouthwash
If you have multiple canker sores, using a mouthwash may be easier than applying the gel on the canker sores one at a time. Ask your doctor if you can get a mouthwash that contains dexamethasone or lidocaine. Both can relieve pain, and dexamethasone can also reduce inflammation.
Step 4. Use prescription medication if thrush doesn't go away
You will need oral medication if there is no improvement with other treatments. Talk to your doctor, and share your medical history and the medications you are taking. Several medications for other ailments can be used to treat stubborn canker sores, such as sucralfate (Carafate) and colchicine.
Doctors may prescribe corticosteroids for severe thrush. Corticosteroids have many side effects and are usually only used as a last resort. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or have an autoimmune disease because it may be better if you take other treatments
Step 5. Burn thrush medically
The doctor may burn thrush with certain chemicals or tools. This will destroy the damaged tissue and relieve pain and speed up recovery. Ask your doctor if this option is good for you.
Step 6. Take supplements to prevent thrush
If you are deficient in certain nutrients, thrush will come back again. Ask your doctor if you need a folate, vitamin B-12, vitamin B-6, zinc, or other vitamin supplement. Supplements will prevent the emergence of new canker sores.
Your doctor can check if you are deficient in certain nutrients through a blood sample
Tips
- If thrush is related to another disease, you must address the cause so that the thrush doesn't come back.
- Thrush is NOT the same as oral herpes. Oral herpes is caused by the herpes virus, while thrush is not.
- You can also use lemon and honey paste. Mix honey and lemon juice, then apply on the thrush area with a cotton bud or clean finger. You can also apply lemon juice alone without honey. This treatment may work more quickly.
