Canker sores, also known as aphthous ulcers, are common and painful lesions that develop inside the mouth, often appearing on the tongue, cheeks, or the base of the gums. These small, shallow ulcers are not contagious and typically have a white, yellow, or gray center with a red border, making eating and talking uncomfortable. Baking soda is a popular home remedy frequently recommended to soothe irritation and promote healing.
Preparing and Applying the Baking Soda Paste
To create the paste, mix a small amount of baking soda with water until a thick consistency is achieved. Start with a pinch of baking soda and add only a few drops of water at a time to control the thickness of the mixture. The goal is to form a material that will adhere to the moist surface of the sore without immediately running off.
Use a clean cotton swab or a clean fingertip to gently dab a small amount of the paste directly onto the canker sore. The paste should be left on the ulcer to fully deliver its effects. The recommended duration for leaving the baking soda paste on the canker sore is generally for a few minutes.
A minimum of one minute is often cited as the time needed for the substance to interact with the sore. After this time, rinse your mouth thoroughly with water or simply spit the remaining paste out. This process can be repeated three or four times daily, or whenever the discomfort becomes noticeable, to maintain relief and aid healing.
Understanding Why Baking Soda Works
The relief provided by baking soda, or sodium bicarbonate, is rooted in its chemical composition as a mild alkali. The environment of a canker sore is often more acidic, which can heighten the pain and irritation. Applying the alkaline substance directly to the ulcer works to neutralize the acidity in the localized area.
This neutralization helps to restore a more balanced pH level, which reduces the inflammatory response and lessens the burning sensation associated with the sore. Furthermore, baking soda has a mild drying effect that helps draw fluid away from the sore’s surface. This action contributes to shrinking the ulcer and forming a protective layer, shielding exposed nerve endings from further irritation caused by food or movement.
When Home Remedies Are Not Enough
Most canker sores are minor and heal on their own within one to two weeks. However, specific signs indicate a need for professional medical evaluation. Consult a dentist or physician if a sore persists for two weeks or more, or if it has not shown significant improvement after ten days of consistent home treatment.
Other factors that warrant seeking professional care include sores that are unusually large, those that recur frequently before older ones have healed, or ulcers that extend to the lips. Additionally, if the canker sore is accompanied by a high fever, severe pain that cannot be managed with over-the-counter remedies, or extreme difficulty with eating and drinking, a medical professional should be contacted.