How to heal mouth ulcer quickly?

Common mouth ulcers start with burning pain or soreness, then a shallow, grayish-white pit with a red border develops. The ulcers tend to recur, but are not contagious. They are more likely to develop if you are run down or stressed. Some women get them before a period. Badly fitting dentures or careless tooth brushing can also cause them, Rarely, an ulcer in the mouth may be due to cancer.

Make an appointment to see your doctor if:

* You also feel sick and/or have a fever
* Many ulcers develop at the same time
* You have had a mouth ulcer for longer than 2 weeks and/or it is getting bigger

DRUG REMEDIES
Antiseptic mouthwashes Rinsing your mouth for about 1 minute twice a day with a mouthwash containing chlorhexidine reduces the risk of a secondary infection and will help your mouth ulcer to heal.

Mouth ulcer treatments include a mouth ulcer paste containing a steroid drug that reduces inflammation and helps healing. The sticky paste helps to keep the treatment in place. Apply it after a meal and at bedtime, so that it stays in contact with your ulcer for longer.

Mouth and throat treatments
Rinses, sprays, or gels containing the painkiller benzydamine can help to reduce the pain and inflammation of a mouth ulcer. Speak to your pharmacist before using one to treat child. Some products contain a local anesthetic to numb the area and provide temporary relief; however, using an anesthetic regularly may increase irritation.

Seek further medical advice if

* You have severe pain that is not controlled by the measures described above
* You have difficulty swallowing
* The ulcer has not healed within 2 weeks and/or it is getting bigger
* You have recurrent mouth ulcers

What you can do yourself
A common mouth ulcer normally disappears within a week or two without treatment, but it can be very uncomfortable. Try the following measures to reduce pain and help the ulcer heal more quickly.

* Eat soft, soothing foods, such as yoghurt, ice cream, and custard. Sip cool water or other cooling drinks through a straw.

* Avoid any food or drink that will irritate your mouth and aggravate your ulcer, such as citrus fruits and drinks; coffee; salty or spicy foods; hard, scratchy foods such as nuts, crisps, and toast; and very hot food or drinks.

* Clean your teeth using a soft tooth brush.

* Use an antiseptic mouthwash. Alternatively, make a salt-water mouthwash by dissolving half a teaspoon of salt in 250 ml (half a pint) of warm water and use it several times a day. Swish the mouthwash around your mouth for about 30 seconds, then spit it out.

* Apply a mouth ulcer paste containing a steroid to ease pain, aid healing, and protect your ulcer from irritants.

* Ease pain with a mouth rinse or spray containing a painkiller, or a lozenge, gel, or spray containing a local anesthetic.