1. Contact and see your dentist as soon as possible for evaluation and treatment.
2. In the meantime, here is practical oral home care that may be helpful:
For pain, take an OTC pain reliever such as acetaminophen, aspirin, ibuprofen or naproxen for temporary pain relief. Take all pain medicines with a full glass of water to help prevent stomach upset.
For pain, your dentist can prescribe a prescription strength topical anesthetic gel to use for temporary pain relief. You can also get an over the counter (OTC) oral anesthetic gel at your local drugstore, ask the pharmacist for assistance if needed.
Applying the anesthetic gel on the aphthous ulcer(s) a few minutes before eating can make eating much more comfortable.
Stay well hydrated: Drink plenty of water, from six to eight oz. of water per hour.
Do not place an aspirin directly over the ulcer or attempt to dissolve the aspirin in the mouth, this can burn the ulcer and create more tissue injury and pain.
If possible, avoid eating or drinking certain acidic, spicy, hard/sharp foods, or any other foods or liquids that irritate the ulcer and increase pain. If possible, try to chew away from the area where the ulcer is located. If necessary, go on a soft diet if eating is too uncomfortable – for example, supplement meals with protein drinks.
If possible, leave out orthodontic appliances and partial/full dentures while the ulcer is being treated and healing to avoid any further trauma or irritation to the affected area.
Use an extra soft toothbrush to avoid any trauma or irritation to the ulcerated/affected area.
Avoid using an electric toothbrush while the ulcer is healing, in order to avoid any trauma or irritation to the affected area.
Stop using your toothpaste and/or mouthwash if it contains Sodium Laurel Sulfate (SLS), a common foaming (detergent) chemical. SLS may contribute to triggering aphthous ulcers in some people.
Do not use any mouthrinses that contain alcohol, the alcohol will dry out the mouth further irritating the ulcer and causing more pain.
If the ulcer makes it difficult to brush or floss, use of a prescription chlorhexidine mouthrinse can be helpful in keeping the mouth clean while the ulcer is healing.
