Most mouth sores are minor canker sores (aphthous ulcers) that heal on their own within 4 to 14 days. You can speed that timeline and reduce pain significantly with a combination of home care and, if needed, over-the-counter products. The key is keeping the area clean, reducing inflammation, and avoiding anything that irritates the tissue further.
Start With a Salt Water Rinse
A warm salt water rinse is the simplest and most effective first step. Salt acts as a mild antiseptic, pulling bacteria away from the sore while reducing inflammation and promoting tissue repair. Mix about half a teaspoon of salt into a cup of warm water, swish for 30 seconds, and spit. Do this two to three times a day, especially after meals. Research shows that rinses in the 0.9% to 1.8% salt range actively support gum health and recovery.
This won’t numb the pain immediately, but it creates a cleaner environment that helps the sore heal faster. It also reduces the bacterial load around the wound, which lowers the risk of secondary infection.
Over-the-Counter Products That Help
If rinsing alone isn’t cutting it, pharmacy shelves have two main categories worth considering. Products containing benzocaine (sold as Anbesol, Orabase, Zilactin-B, and others) numb the area on contact, giving you relief while eating or drinking. These are best applied directly to the sore with a clean finger or cotton swab before meals.
Antiseptic rinses containing hydrogen peroxide (like Orajel Antiseptic Mouth Sore Rinse) work differently. They clean the sore and reduce bacteria rather than numbing pain. You can use both types together: an antiseptic rinse for general cleaning and a numbing gel for targeted pain relief before meals.
Honey as a Natural Alternative
If you prefer something from the kitchen, honey is more than folk medicine. A clinical trial comparing honey to a prescription steroid paste found that honey performed better across the board, producing greater reductions in sore size, pain, and redness. No side effects were reported in any group. Dab a small amount of raw honey directly onto the sore a few times a day, letting it sit as long as possible before eating or drinking. It forms a protective coating while its natural antibacterial properties go to work.
What to Avoid While Healing
What you stop doing matters as much as what you start doing. Acidic foods like tomatoes, citrus, and vinegar-based dressings directly irritate open tissue and can extend healing time. Spicy foods, crunchy chips, and very hot beverages do the same. Stick to softer, cooler foods until the sore closes.
Your toothpaste may also be a factor. A systematic review found that toothpastes containing sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), a common foaming agent, significantly increased the number of ulcers, the duration of each ulcer, and pain levels compared to SLS-free alternatives. If you get canker sores regularly, switching to an SLS-free toothpaste is one of the most straightforward changes you can make. Brands like Sensodyne and Biotene are widely available SLS-free options.
When Prescription Treatment Makes Sense
For sores that are especially large or painful, a dentist or doctor can prescribe a steroid dental paste. You apply a small dab (about a quarter inch) directly onto the sore and let it form a thin film. Don’t rub it in. The paste works best applied at bedtime so the medication stays in contact with the tissue overnight, and it can be used two to three times daily after meals if symptoms are severe.
Prescription treatment is typically reserved for major canker sores, which are 1 to 3 centimeters across and can last anywhere from 10 days to 6 weeks. If your sore is that size or has persisted beyond two weeks, it’s worth getting evaluated.
Preventing Sores From Coming Back
Recurrent canker sores are often tied to specific nutritional gaps. People with frequent sores consistently show lower daily intake of vitamin B12 and folate compared to people who rarely get them. One study found that affected individuals consumed about 20% less folate and 7% less B12 than recommended levels. Foods rich in B12 include meat, fish, eggs, and fortified cereals. Folate comes from leafy greens, beans, and citrus fruits. If you get sores more than a few times a year, increasing these foods or adding a B-complex supplement is a reasonable preventive step.
Stress is another well-established trigger. So is biting the inside of your cheek, poorly fitting dental work, and hormonal changes. Keeping a simple log of when sores appear can help you spot your personal pattern.
Signs a Mouth Sore Needs Medical Attention
The two-week mark is the key threshold. Any sore that hasn’t started healing noticeably by then deserves a professional look. Other signs that warrant evaluation: a white or reddish patch that doesn’t go away, a lump or growth inside the mouth, unexplained loose teeth, ear pain, or difficulty swallowing. These don’t automatically mean something serious, but they overlap with early signs of oral cancer, and a quick exam can rule that out.