15 home remedies for mouth sores (and what to do if they don’t work)

Mouth sores, such as canker sores and cold sores, can appear occasionally, or they can be recurring. These sores are often painful, but there are some home remedies that can reduce symptoms using resources you may already have at home. 

Types of mouth sores

Cold sores, also known as fever blisters, are fluid-filled lesions that form around the mouth due to a viral infection called herpes simplex. Cold sores are most contagious when the blister breaks open and leaks fluid. It’s important to refrain from close contact during a cold-sore outbreak and wait until all symptoms, including scabbing, have subsided before sharing utensils, cups, towels, or other contaminated objects.

Canker sores are yellowish-to-white circular ulcers in the mouth and on the lips, cheeks, tongue, and gums. Also called aphthous ulcers, canker sores can be a reaction to medications, allergies, nutritional deficiencies, chemical exposures, stress, or a change in hormone levels. Although canker sores naturally disappear within two weeks without treatment, natural remedies can ease discomfort and speed up the healing process. Canker sores are not contagious.

Below is a list of 15 home remedies that may help alleviate the pain of cold sores and canker sores.

15 Home remedies for mouth sores

1. Saltwater rinses

Saltwater rinses can flush out the sore, decrease inflammation, and dry out the wound, according to Mayo Clinic. You can make a saltwater rinse by combining 1 teaspoon of salt and one-half cup of warm water. Stir and allow the salt to dissolve. Swish the warm saltwater rinse in your mouth three to four times a day, but don’t swallow it. 

2. Baking soda rinse or paste

Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) can help to reduce acidity in the mouth, decrease swelling, and ease pain associated with mouth sores. You can use baking soda as a rinse or paste. To make a rinse, follow the same method you would for a saltwater rinse: Mix 1 teaspoon of baking soda in one-half cup of warm water, swish, and spit. To make a paste, apply it directly to the lesion by mixing baking soda with a small amount of water until it is the consistency of toothpaste.

3. Hydrogen peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide is an antiseptic, but some experts advise against using hydrogen peroxide rinses because it causes more irritation to tissues. It is also dangerous if it is swallowed. Talk to your doctor before using hydrogen peroxide to treat mouth sores. 

4. Essential oils

Some studies have shown that applying essential oils such as tea tree oil and peppermint oil can accelerate the healing of cold sores. Dilute the tea tree oil or peppermint oil with almond, olive, or coconut oil. Apply it to the cold sore three or four times a day. Never drink essential oils. 

5. Honey

Honey is an effective natural treatment for many types of wounds. It has been found to have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. Some studies have suggested that honey may also be effective in healing cold sores and canker sores.

6. Milk of Magnesia

Milk of magnesia can neutralize acids in the mouth that can irritate canker sores. This home remedy can also ease pain and help the wound heal faster. Mayo Clinic recommends using a cotton swab or pad to apply milk of magnesium directly to the area a few times a day. 

7. Echinacea

Echinacea is an herbal remedy and dietary supplement that is believed to reduce inflammation and boost the immune system. In one study, taking echinacea tablets for five weeks reduced the pain and recurrence rate of minor mouth ulcers. 

8. Chamomile Compress

Kevin Fernandez, MD, a resident physician with Newark Beth Israel Medical Center, states, “One of my favorite natural remedies is chamomile tea compresses. Chamomile has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial qualities that could aid in ulcer healing.” You can make a mouthwash with strongly brewed chamomile tea that has cooled down. The chamomile tea bag or a tea-soaked cloth can be applied directly to the affected area as a compress. 

9. Turmeric powder

Turmeric has been found to decrease the size and discomfort of canker sores. Try making a turmeric paste and applying it to mouth sores in the morning and evening. 

10. Alum Power

Alum, also known as potassium sulfate, can decrease inflammation and accelerate the healing of mouth sores. Alum causes the tissues to contract and draws fluid out of the wound. Place a small amount of powder on the sore using a clean fingertip or damp cotton swab. Or, make a paste by adding a small amount of water to it. Allow the alum to sit on the wound for at least one minute, rinse, and spit. Do this once a day until the sore has disappeared.

11. Sage mouthwash

Sage has various health benefits, and its antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties can help reduce pain associated with mouth sores. You can purchase sage mouthwash or make your own by mixing 2 teaspoons of fresh sage (or dried) with boiling water and allowing it to cool. Swish in the mouth for one minute, spit, and repeat throughout the day. 

12. Licorice

Licorice root may help to relieve canker sores.. Licorice balms are available over the counter, but you can also make a topical ointment with licorice root extract and a carrier oil or moisturizing cream. You can also purchase deglycyrrhizinated licorice (DGL) mouthwash to treat ulcers inside the mouth. Licorice root is not recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding women.

13. Aloe vera

Aloe vera is a popular burn remedy, but it’s also safe to apply in or around the mouth to soothe and heal mouth ulcers. Aloe vera is antibacterial, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, and antiviral, which can be beneficial for cold sores. According to research, oral gel with 2% aloe vera can reduce mouth sore pain and speed up the healing process.

14. Vitamin B12 supplements

Some individuals are more susceptible to getting mouth sores from a vitamin deficiency, according to Fatima Khan, DMD, dentist and founder of Riven Oral Care. Taking vitamin B12 may speed healing and reduce outbreaks in people who have recurrent canker sores. 

15. Vitamin E

Vitamin E is known for contributing to healthy skin. According to one study, topical vitamin E helped treat oral mucositis—the swelling or irritation of tissues inside the mouth– in patients who were undergoing chemotherapy.

How to treat mouth sores when natural remedies don’t work

Sometimes, natural remedies are not enough to completely heal a mouth ulcer or cold sore. Specific OTC products, such as Orajel with the active ingredient benzocaine, are available to provide relief from both canker sores and cold sores without a prescription. Abreva is a topical antiviral cream that may also help treat cold sores. 

For cold sores that don’t clear up on their own, healthcare providers may prescribe prescription antiviral medication in topical form, such as Zovirax (acyclovir sodium), or pill form, such as Valtrex (valacyclovir). Wash hands thoroughly following topical application. Injectable medication, such as injectable Acyclovir, may also be prescribed for serious herpes infections.

When to see a doctor when remedies don’t work

Consult your primary care provider or dentist if you have a high fever or mouth sore symptoms that worsen or do not clear on their own. If a mouth sore enlarges, becomes extremely painful, or persists for more than two weeks, prescription medication may be needed. Your healthcare provider will need to know what treatments have already been tried. Tell your healthcare provider if it is difficult to drink or eat, and if sores are recurring or extremely painful.