There is no permanent cure for many of the most common types of mouth sores (e.g., cold sores, canker sores). Thus, treatment may focus on alleviating the pain, discomfort or unsightly appearance of these sores.

Home care remedies for mouth sores include:

• Avoiding foods or beverages that may aggravate the mouth sores. This includes foods that are spicy, acidic (e.g., citrus fruits or fruit juice), sharp/crunchy (e.g., pretzels, potato chips) or too hot. Consuming alcohol or caffeine may also irritate the lining of the mouth.
  
  
• Using straws. Drinking through a straw may prevent liquids from coming into contact with sensitive areas of the mouth.
  
  
• Avoiding irritating the gums during dental hygiene. For example, teeth may be more comfortably cleaned using foam swabs or a soft-bristled toothbrush.
  
  
• Rinse the mouth regularly. Swishing water in the mouth before spitting it out can help keep the area clean. Mouth rinses that contain alcohol should be avoided because they may cause a stinging sensation in the mouth. Antimicrobial mouth rinses may be used. Rinsing with saltwater can soothe canker sores or mouth sores as a result of thrush.
  
  
• Applying ice. Applying ice chips to mouth sores may help alleviate pain.

Medications may be used to relieve the discomfort and shorten the duration of mouth sores. They are available by prescription or over-the-counter. The type of medication used will depend on the severity of a patient’s sores and their cause. For maximum effectiveness, medications should be used at the first indication mouth sores are developing. Medications include:

• Topical anesthetic. May include numbing agents (painkillers) as well as those medications that provide a protective coating.
  
  
• Systemic drugs. May include pills, injections or topical ointments of medications used to treat infection or inflammation (e.g., antivirals, antifungals, antibiotics, steroids). There are over-the-counter preparations that may help relieve canker sores. Over-the-counter pain relievers (e.g., aspirin, acetaminophen, ibuprofen) may also be used for pain and inflammation – although aspirin should not be given to children or teens due to an increased risk of developing Reye syndrome, a life-threatening condition.