Canker Sore Treatments and Medications

Having an open, painful sore in your mouth might mean that you have a canker sore. Canker sores can be difficult and frustrating to deal with. Understanding what canker sores are is an important first step toward treating them. This article gives an overview of canker sore treatments, medications, and home remedies.

What is a canker sore?

Canker sores are small ulcers that develop inside the mouth or at the base of the gums. Because canker sores are considered an open sores, they can be quite painful and cause discomfort. Canker sores can appear on the inside of the cheeks, on the inside of the lips, on the tongue, or on the gums. They tend to be white or yellow and are often surrounded by bright red skin.

Canker sores (also called aphthous ulcers or aphthous stomatitis) are the most common oral tissue disease in North America and are usually self-diagnosable and self-treatable. It’s estimated that around half to two-thirds of all U.S. adults will have a canker sore at some point in their life. Canker sores shouldn’t be confused with cold sores, which are sometimes called fever blisters. Cold sores appear on the outside of the mouth and are caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV).

Sometimes called mouth sores, canker sores happen inside the mouth and cause symptoms of pain, difficulty chewing, and difficulty talking. “Less common symptoms that accompany canker sores include tiredness, weight loss for no apparent reason, swollen lymph nodes, or even an oral thrush infection or fever,” says Carrie Lam, MD, medical director of Lam Clinic. “Consult your healthcare practitioner if your canker sores last for more than three weeks, spread, or if you have a fever or severe pain.”

Even though there’s no cure for canker sores, the pain that comes along with them can be treated with mouthwashes, lozenges, over-the-counter pain medications, and the occasional prescription medication. Minor canker sores will go away on their own within days or weeks, but severe cases may need medical attention.

How is a canker sore diagnosed?

Canker sores might be self-diagnosable for people who’ve had them before, but some people may need to visit a doctor in order to get a proper diagnosis. Typically, mouth ulcers will appear on the gums, tongue, or inside of the lips and cheeks. They’ll be white, yellow, or gray in color and be surrounded by reddish skin.

Although the exact cause of canker sores is unknown, many researchers believe they’re caused by one or more of the following:

• Viruses

• Bacteria

• Hormonal changes

• Vitamin deficiencies

• Stress

• Weakened immune system

• Food sensitivities or allergies

Canker sores are very common, and women are more likely to experience them than men. A primary care physician or dentist will be able to diagnose and treat canker sores. If you go to the doctor or dentist for your canker sore, here are some questions you might get asked:

• Are you experiencing any pain, difficulty chewing, or difficulty talking?

• Have you recently experienced any stressful life experiences?

• Do you have a family history of canker sores?

• Are you taking any medications?

Canker sore treatment options

Once you’ve self-diagnosed your canker sore or been told by a doctor that you have one, the next step is proper treatment. Because there’s no cure for canker sores, treatment options typically focus on pain relief.

Here are some of the most common treatment options for canker sores:

• Mouthwashes/rinses

• Topical creams, pastes, or gels

• Lozenges

• Over-the-counter (OTC) pain medications

• Prescribed antibiotics or antivirals

To help keep canker sores from coming back, here are some things you can talk to your doctor about doing:

• Reducing stress

• Eating a healthy diet with fresh fruits and vegetables

• Avoiding rough, spicy, and acidic foods

• Getting enough nutrients

Canker sore medications

There are several different types of medications that can be used to treat canker sores. The type of medication you’ll need will depend on your individual symptoms and medical history.

Antivirals

Some canker sores are caused by viruses, and if this is the case, antiviral medications may be needed. Some antivirals, like Abreva and Denavir, are applied topically, and some are taken orally, like Valtrex (valacyclovir). Common side effects of antivirals include nausea and headaches.

Antibiotics

When canker sores aren’t going away after about a week, or if someone has recurrent canker sores, they may need to take an antibiotic. Antibiotics like Vibramycin (doxycycline) and Oracea (doxycycline) have to be prescribed by a doctor and may cause side effects like diarrhea, cold-like symptoms, and stomach pain.

Anesthetics

Anesthetics are medications that can help relieve pain symptoms that come from having a canker sore, which decreases any difficulty with chewing. They work by numbing the painful area. Two of the most popular anesthetics for cold sores include Cepacol and benzocaine. It’s possible for anesthetics to cause allergic reactions and other side effects like itching or hives.

Anti-inflammatory medications

Canker sores can be painful and even make it difficult to chew properly. Over-the-counter pain medications like Advil (ibuprofen), Aleve (naproxen), and Tylenol (acetaminophen) can help treat pain that comes with canker sores. You shouldn’t take medications like Advil (ibuprofen) or Aleve (naproxen) if you’re allergic to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

Steroids

Steroid medications are sometimes used to treat canker sores if they’re becoming worse and not going away. Some doctors will prescribe mouth rinses with steroids in them, or they’ll inject steroid medications like Decadron (dexamethasone). Steroids help reduce swelling and pain, but they can also cause side effects like stomach pain, vomiting, and skin irritation.

What is the best medication for canker sores?

There’s no one universal canker sore medication that will work best for everyone. Individual symptoms and responses to treatment vary. A doctor can determine the best medication for canker sores based on an individual’s symptoms, medical history, and response to treatments. Here’s an overview of popular medications that a doctor or healthcare provider may prescribe or recommend.

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Best medication for canker sores