Natural Treatment for Mouth Ulcers

Bookmark for when you need to soothe that sting! There is nothing worse than a mouth ulcer - or a tiny little break in the mucus membrane of the mouth. A single, one-off mouth ulcer isn't overly concerning but recurrent/multiple mouth ulcers are definitely worth further investigation. This guide came to life after one too many clients, friends and family members complained to me in passing about these tiny little ulcers, resigned to the fact that they just need to run their course. Well there ARE thing's that can be done to reduce the pain and accelerate the healing process - especially when you know what the specific cause is.

How do you get a mouth ulcer?

The cause is not totally understood however there are some theories that involve an immune response caused by a certain trigger. Some common triggers include:

• Nutrient deficiencies (b12, iron, folate, zinc...)

• Trauma to the mouth (sharp food...)

• Stress

• Hormone fluctuations

• Gut dysbiosis (imbalanced organisms in the colon)

• Allergies

• Sodium lauryl sulfate (common toothpaste ingredient)

• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

• Alcohol

• Viral infections

• Gluten intolerance/coeliac disease

• Genetics

Common symptoms of mouth ulcers

Tingling, painful burning sensation

Red spot/bump followed by open ulcer

Ulcer appears as a white/yellow oval with inflamed red border 

Lymph node swelling below jaw

Testing options

Blood tests to assess for nutrient deficiencies and coeliac disease in more severe cases. Endoscopy and colonoscopy may be warranted in those severe cases. Gut microbiome stool testing provides a comprehensive analysis of the environment in the colon (which is closely linked to the environment in the mouth).

What does a natural Mouth Ulcer treatment protocol look like?

Treatment is centred around investigating the underlying cause, reducing pain and accelerating the healing process. Treatment can involve a variety of tools, including a reduction of alcohol, caffeine, refined foods and sugars which can irritate the oral mucosa. Rest and stress management is key - both of which play a role in allowing the immune system to do it's job properly. There are specific nutritional supplements like zinc and glutamine that encourage mucus membrane regeneration and herbal supplements like liquorice, chamomile and turmeric that reduce inflammation and soothe irritated tissue.

Ready to get to the bottom of your recurrent Mouth Ulcers?

Book a free discovery phone call or to see Georgia for a naturopath appointment.