Most canker sores heal on their own within one to two weeks, but the pain peaks in the first few days, which is exactly when you need relief. The good news: a combination of numbing agents, simple rinses, and smart food choices can cut that pain significantly while the sore runs its course.
Numb the Pain With OTC Products
The fastest way to get relief is a topical numbing product containing benzocaine, available under brand names like Anbesol, Kank-A, and Zilactin-B. These come as gels, creams, or pastes that you apply directly to the sore. The numbing effect kicks in within a minute or two and typically lasts long enough to eat a meal or get through a conversation without wincing. Apply as soon as you notice the sore forming for the best results, and reapply as directed on the label.
Hydrogen peroxide rinses (like Orajel Antiseptic Mouth Sore Rinse) offer a different approach. They clean the ulcer and reduce bacteria around it, which can help the area heal a bit faster. These work well as a complement to a numbing gel rather than a replacement.
Saltwater and Baking Soda Rinses
A warm saltwater rinse is the simplest home remedy and one of the most effective for daily pain management. Dissolve about half a teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water, swish it around the sore for 15 to 30 seconds, and spit. Repeat a few times a day, especially after meals. The salt draws fluid from the inflamed tissue, which temporarily reduces swelling and pain.
Baking soda works similarly. Mix about a teaspoon into a cup of warm water and use it the same way. Baking soda neutralizes acids in the mouth that irritate the open sore, making the environment less hostile while the tissue heals. You can alternate between saltwater and baking soda rinses throughout the day.
Honey as a Natural Option
Applying a small dab of honey directly to a canker sore is a remedy with some clinical backing. In a study comparing honey to salicylate gel (a standard prescription treatment for recurring canker sores), both groups showed similar improvements in pain and ulcer size over five days of use, three times daily. No participants reported side effects from the honey. It likely works because honey has natural anti-inflammatory properties and forms a light protective coating over the sore. If you try it, use plain, unprocessed honey and apply it after meals.
Protective Barriers and Patches
One of the most underrated options is a canker sore patch or liquid bandage designed for the mouth. These products form a thin film over the ulcer that shields it from saliva, food, and your teeth. One FDA-reviewed product showed that 76% of users experienced pain reduction after a single application, and nearly half of those still had reduced pain over four hours later. The film stays in place until the tissue underneath naturally sheds or it gets physically dislodged. If your sore is in a spot that constantly rubs against your teeth or cheek, a barrier product can make a noticeable difference.
Avoid Foods That Make It Worse
What you don’t eat matters almost as much as what you apply. Acidic foods like tomatoes, citrus fruits, and vinegar-based dressings will sting on contact and can slow healing. The same goes for salty snacks, spicy dishes, and crunchy foods like chips or crackers that scrape the sore mechanically. Coffee and other caffeinated drinks are also common irritants.
Stick to soft, bland foods while the sore is at its worst: yogurt, oatmeal, scrambled eggs, bananas, and lukewarm soups. Cold foods like smoothies or ice cream can also provide temporary numbing relief.
Switch Your Toothpaste
Many popular toothpastes contain sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), a foaming agent that can aggravate canker sores and may even trigger them in people who are prone to outbreaks. If you’re dealing with a sore right now, switching to an SLS-free toothpaste can reduce irritation while you heal. Several major brands make SLS-free versions, and they’re widely available at pharmacies and grocery stores. This one change is especially worth trying if you get canker sores frequently.
Prescription Options for Severe Sores
If over-the-counter products aren’t cutting it, a dentist or doctor can prescribe a steroid dental paste. These work by reducing inflammation directly at the sore. You apply a small amount with a cotton swab after meals and at bedtime, pressing it onto the ulcer to form a smooth film. The key detail: don’t rub or spread it, because the paste becomes crumbly and won’t adhere properly. Prescription-strength treatment is typically reserved for sores that are unusually large, extremely painful, or keep coming back.
Canker Sores vs. Cold Sores
Before you treat anything, make sure you’re dealing with the right problem. Canker sores and cold sores require completely different approaches. The easiest way to tell them apart is location: canker sores appear inside the mouth, while cold sores (fever blisters) show up on the outside, usually around the border of the lips. They also look different. A canker sore is typically a single round white or yellow sore with a red border. A cold sore is a cluster of small, fluid-filled blisters.
Cold sores are caused by the herpes simplex virus and are contagious. Canker sores are not contagious, and their exact cause is still unknown, though triggers include stress, acidic foods, mouth injuries, and hormonal changes. If your sore is outside your mouth, the remedies in this article won’t help, and you’ll want an antiviral treatment instead.