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Navigate: > > Canker sores

Posted on: 01/15/2008

Question

I frequently get canker sours, or mouth ulcers. These ulcers tend to become the size of a nickel or quarter and are usually quite painful. They take up to 3 weeks to heal. Recently I have been getting them on my tongue preventing me from eating. I asked a doctor and he said that they are not sure what they are caused from and that to buy numbing medications available over the counter. Is there anything else I can do to help prevent and treat them.

Answer

Canker sores usually go away without any treatment. For pain relief, you can try taking ibuprofen or acetaminophen. Other over the counter medicines, such as Anbesol or Orajel, might keep your canker sores from becoming irritated by eating or brushing your teeth. These medicines are applied directly on the sore.

You can also mix equal amounts of Milk of Magnesia and Benadryl Allergy liquid. After it's mixed, you can swish a teaspoonful in your mouth for about 1 minute and then spit it out. Make sure to spit it out. If you do this every 4 to 6 hours, your canker sores may hurt less.

If your canker sores are large, last longer than 2 weeks or are so sore that you can't eat or drink, you should make an appointment to see your doctor. You should make an appointment with your doctor, too, if you also have a fever or feel sick when you have canker sores. Tell your doctor if you have canker sores more than 3 times a year.

Answered By:
Elizabeth Ancheta , M.D.

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