There are not many things that are more annoying than a painful canker sore. Learning how to get rid of canker sores can minimize the suffering and speed up the healing process.

Anyone that has ever suffered from canker sores knows how painful these sores are. Also known as mouth ulcers, canker sores are little white, round sores caused by bacteria that normally appear on the inside of the mouth and lips. Different drinks and foods can quickly irritate them, causing discomfort and pain. Fortunately, there are several different at home treatments that can help to relieve the pain and get rid of the canker sore.

Figuring out how to get rid of canker sores is not that difficult. Do an online search and thousands of results will come up. Be aware that canker sores and cold sores are not the same thing, so pick a treatment that applies specifically to canker sores. There is over the counter medicine available to treat canker sores, but everyone does not always have access to the store or some might not be able to afford the medicine. There are several home treatments that should be safe to try, as long as there are no know allergies or any thing of that nature. People may want to check with a physician or pharmacist first, just to validate that it is a feasible form of treatment.

Salt water is one of the most common treatments known for a canker sore. Just mix approximately one tablespoon of salt in a cup or two of water and rinse several times a day. The salt will help in drying up the canker sore. Baking soda is a popular from of treatment, too, mixed with water just like salt. It can also be made into a paste that can be rubbed directly on to the sore. Hydrogen peroxide and tea tree oil are also highly effective in pain relief and treatment of canker sores.

These are just a few of the more common approaches to the home treatment of canker sores. If, after trying some of these treatments or over the counter medication, the sore is still not showing signs of getting better, then it would be best to seek some medical attention because there might be more going on than just a common canker sore.