Canker Sores. This Weird Home Remedy Heals Them Overnight!
You can quickly heal painful canker sores using a simple mixture of salt and baking soda from your kitchen. Mix equal parts of each with warm water to create a paste, then apply it directly to the sore with a cotton swab before bed. The salt draws out infection while baking soda neutralizes acids, providing overnight relief. Learn the exact measurements and application technique to maximize this remedy’s effectiveness.
What Are Canker Sores and Why Do They Form?
Canker sores are small, painful ulcers that develop inside your mouth, typically on the inner cheeks, lips, tongue, or gums. You’ll recognize them by their round, white or yellowish center surrounded by a red border. Unlike cold sores, they’re not contagious and don’t appear on the outside of your mouth.
These frustrating sores often form when you’re stressed, have injured your mouth, or are experiencing nutritional deficiencies – especially in vitamin B12, zinc, or iron. They can also emerge if you’re sensitive to certain foods like citrus fruits, coffee, or chocolate.
Your immune system might trigger them as a response to bacteria in your mouth, and if you’re like many people, you might get them more frequently during hormonal changes or when you’re run down.
The Secret Salt and Baking Soda Solution
When it comes to treating canker sores at home, a simple mixture of salt and baking soda can provide powerful relief.
You’ll want to combine equal parts of these common kitchen ingredients with a small amount of warm water to create a soothing paste.
Gently apply this mixture directly to your canker sore using a clean cotton swab. The salt helps draw out infection while reducing inflammation, and the baking soda neutralizes acid that could irritate the sore.
You’ll feel a slight stinging at first, but that’s just the solution starting to work.
Apply this remedy 3-4 times daily, especially after meals and before bed.
Many people in our community have found that this natural treatment significantly reduces healing time and discomfort, often showing improvement overnight.
How to Apply the Remedy Before Bedtime
Applying the salt and baking soda remedy before bed offers one of the most effective treatment windows for healing canker sores. Before you start, ensure you’ve brushed your teeth and are ready for sleep.
Mix 1/4 teaspoon each of salt and baking soda with a small amount of water to create a paste.
Using a clean cotton swab or your fingertip, gently dab the mixture directly onto your canker sore. You’ll feel a slight stinging sensation – that’s normal. Let the paste sit on the sore for about two minutes.
Don’t rinse your mouth afterward; this allows the mixture to work throughout the night while you sleep. The overnight treatment gives the remedy maximum contact time with the sore, which is why so many people see significant improvement by morning.
Scientific Explanation Behind This Treatment
The combination of salt and baking soda works through multiple scientific mechanisms to heal canker sores. When you apply this mixture, the salt creates a hypertonic environment that pulls fluid from the inflamed tissue, reducing swelling and pain.
The alkaline nature of baking soda helps neutralize the acidic environment that bacteria thrive in, making it harder for them to survive.
Together, these ingredients form a mild antiseptic solution that cleanses the wound while promoting faster healing. The abrasive texture of both compounds also helps remove dead cells and debris, creating an optimal environment for new tissue growth.
You’ll notice the solution stings briefly – that’s the osmotic effect in action, drawing out infection and starting the healing process that continues while you sleep.
Additional Tips to Prevent Future Outbreaks
Since prevention is the best medicine, you’ll want to adopt several lifestyle changes to minimize future canker sore outbreaks. Join thousands of others who’ve discovered these proven preventive measures that keep canker sores at bay.
Do This | Don’t Do This |
---|---|
Use soft-bristled toothbrushes | Eat acidic foods |
Stay hydrated | Chew gum excessively |
Take B12 supplements | Use harsh mouthwash |
Manage your stress | Bite your cheeks |
You can also strengthen your defense against canker sores by getting enough sleep, avoiding SLS in toothpaste, and eating a balanced diet rich in zinc and iron. If you’re prone to canker sores, keep a food diary to identify potential triggers. Many people find success by eliminating certain foods from their diet.