How Do I Treat Mouth Lesions?

Often, mouth lesions just need time to heal on their own, though you can take steps to speed healing and stay comfortable at home. For example, you could use mouth rinses and healing gels for this purpose. In most cases, over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers and the right choice of food and drinks will help you to stay comfortable while they heal. If mouth lesions remain after about two weeks of such efforts, you may then do well to see a doctor.

Rinsing your mouth may help to heal mouth lesions. For example, you might find rising with salt water helpful. You may also find rising with a solution of hydrogen peroxide and water helps to soothe the discomfort caused by mouth lesions and stimulate healing. You don't always have to add something to your water to have a soothing mouth rinse, however. Some people also enjoy relief from discomfort when they rinse with plain, cool water instead.

If you are dealing with significant pain as a result of your mouth lesions, you may want to include pain relief in your treatment plans. Usually, OTC treatments are effective for this purpose. For example, you could take acetaminophen or ibuprofen to relieve your discomfort.

You might also find some OTC treatments that are good for treating mouth lesions. For example, there are non-prescription creams and gels you can use to soothe sores that are on your gums or lips. Such treatments are unlikely to result in the immediate healing of the sore, however. Instead, they may help to hasten the body's natural healing process and keep you as comfortable as possible until the lesions heal.

If you've had mouth lesions for a significant period of time and they are not responding to your at-home care efforts, you may do well to seek a doctor's advice. For example, two weeks is often considered a reasonable amount of time to attempt treatment at home and then seek a doctor's evaluation and treatment if the lesions aren't improving or seem to worsen. A doctor can provide a prescription treatment that may prove more effective, or he might devise a plan to treat the underlying causes of the sores instead.

While the foods you eat might not get rid of mouth sores, making careful selections can help you feel more comfortable while you are suffering from them. For example, you may do well to avoid eating spicy foods while you have mouth lesions, as they can lead to a good deal of mouth pain. You might also find it best to avoid acidic foods and drinks, which can cause a stinging sensation when they touch the lesions. Additionally, avoiding very hot foods and dishes that contain a lot of salt may help as well.