Most mouth ulcers heal on their own within one to two weeks, but you can speed up the process and reduce pain with a few simple treatments at home. These small, round sores on the inner cheeks, gums, or tongue (often called canker sores) are not contagious and rarely need medical attention. Here’s what actually works to get rid of them faster.
Salt Water Rinse
A warm salt water rinse is the simplest and most widely recommended first step. Dissolve half a teaspoon of table salt in a glass of lukewarm water and swish it gently around your mouth for 30 seconds before spitting it out. This eases discomfort and supports healing. You can repeat this several times a day, especially after meals when food particles are most likely to irritate the sore.
Honey as a Topical Treatment
Applying a small amount of honey directly to the ulcer is surprisingly effective. A clinical trial comparing honey to a prescription steroid paste found that honey reduced ulcer size and relieved pain faster. The honey-treated group healed in an average of about 2.7 days, compared to nearly 6 days for the steroid paste group. Use regular, unprocessed honey. Dab it on the ulcer a few times per day, ideally after eating so it stays in place longer.
Avoid Foods That Make It Worse
Spicy and acidic foods don’t cause mouth ulcers, but they will irritate an existing one and make it hurt more. While the ulcer is healing, stick to soft, mild foods and cool drinks. Using a straw can help liquids bypass the sore entirely. Crunchy foods like chips or crusty bread can also physically scrape the ulcer and delay healing.
Over-the-Counter Options
Pharmacy shelves carry several products designed for mouth ulcers. Topical gels and pastes containing a numbing agent can provide temporary pain relief, making it easier to eat and talk. Protective pastes that form a barrier over the ulcer are another option, shielding it from food and saliva so it can heal undisturbed. Look for products specifically labeled for mouth ulcers or canker sores. Apply them after meals and before bed for the best coverage.
Prescription Treatments for Severe Ulcers
If your ulcer is large, extremely painful, or keeps coming back, a dentist or doctor can prescribe a steroid dental paste. This is typically applied two or three times daily after meals. For rare, severe cases where multiple large ulcers appear at once, steroid tablets that work throughout the body may be recommended alongside topical treatment. These prescriptions reduce inflammation and can cut healing time significantly.
Nutritional Gaps That Fuel Recurring Ulcers
If you get mouth ulcers frequently, a nutritional deficiency may be the underlying cause. Research consistently links recurrent ulcers to low levels of vitamin B12, folate, and iron. One study found that people with recurring canker sores had significantly lower daily intake of both B12 and folate compared to people who rarely got them.
This doesn’t mean popping supplements will cure an active ulcer overnight, but addressing a deficiency can reduce how often ulcers appear in the future. Foods rich in B12 include meat, fish, eggs, and dairy. Leafy greens, beans, and fortified cereals are good sources of folate. If you suspect a deficiency, a simple blood test can confirm it.
What About SLS-Free Toothpaste?
You may have read that switching to a toothpaste without sodium lauryl sulfate (the foaming agent in most toothpastes) can prevent mouth ulcers. The evidence doesn’t support this. A controlled study comparing SLS-free toothpaste to regular toothpaste found no significant difference in ulcer frequency, size, or healing time. If you want to try it, it won’t hurt, but don’t expect a dramatic change.
When a Mouth Ulcer Needs Medical Attention
A typical canker sore should be noticeably improving within a week and fully healed within two. An ulcer that lasts longer than two weeks, or one that doesn’t respond to one to two weeks of treatment, should be evaluated by a doctor or dentist. In some cases, a biopsy may be needed to rule out other conditions. Other signs worth getting checked: ulcers that are unusually large (bigger than a centimeter), ulcers that keep appearing in clusters, sores accompanied by fever, or any ulcer that spreads rather than shrinks over time.