Aphthae - Natural remedies for small blisters in the mouth
Aphthae appear on the inside of the lips or cheeks or even on the tongue. They are usually about linsengross, rarely larger, round and white color. Often they occur individually, but can also appear to several at a time. Aphthae are very annoying because they hurt and interfere with eating and drinking.
Since it can take up to two or even three weeks for the bubbles to heal on their own, it is possible to accelerate the healing process with gentle and natural remedies and thus prevent new aphthae.
The reasons
The concrete cause of the aphthae is unknown. Often they arise when you have accidentally bitten on the cheek or even if a denture is not sitting properly. But just as often, one is not aware of any particular cause. Bacteria do not appear to be involved in the development of aphthous ulcers as the administration of antibiotics has no effect. Even medicines for viruses do not help.
After all, aphthae are not contagious. One exception is childhood herpes simplex infection, which presents with aphthous-like symptoms.
Risk factors that make aphthae more likely include a weakened immune system, stress and allergies to certain foods or food intolerance.
In some cases, aphthae are also associated with celiac disease (gluten intolerance) or Crohn's disease, a chronic inflammatory bowel disease. Also, lack of vital substances are the cause of conversation as well as phases of hormonal changes.
Lead the aphthous diary
The American Academy of Oral Medicine, an organization dedicated to education on all aspects of oral and dental health, recommends that those who have recurring aphthae struggle to create an aphthous journal and note exactly when the bubbles appear and in what context. One writes down possible triggers. For example, what you ate when the aphthea suddenly appeared and also whether you were annoyed about anything, whether you have drunk alcohol, whether you have handled with special chemicals, (in women) which cycle day is etc.
With the help of the diary, one can then possibly come to terms with possible completely individual causes and avoid them in the future.
10 tips for aphthae
Normally, the small bubbles heal within seven to ten days - without any need to do anything about it. If this is not the case, so if the blisters are still present after three weeks, it would be useful to ask the doctor for advice - especially if there are other symptoms, such as. For example, inexplicable fatigue for several days, blisters or skin changes on other parts of the body, fever, inflamed eyes or stomach pain.
In these cases, aphthae could simply be concomitant symptoms of a disease that should be clarified. Even if the bubbles ignite, so redden strongly and even pain, if you just do not eat or drink, you can see the doctor.
In unproblematic aphthae, however, the doctor has no healing solutions in store and usually prescribes nothing else than a pain-relieving lotion, disinfectant or cortisone, so that you can first try natural remedies here.
1. Avoid critical foods
You may already suspect which foods can help you develop aphthae. These foods should be avoided at the latest when the bubbles are there.
In addition, you should first remove hot, very salty and acidic foods (gherkins, but also sour fruit and corresponding fruit juices) from the diet, as well as hot and carbonated drinks, alcohol and food, such as. B. biscuits, crisps or rusk, which have hard edges, avoid. They irritate the aphthae and inhibit the healing process.
2. Oral hygiene
Pay attention to careful and gentle oral and dental hygiene. The aphthae should not be hurt, otherwise they will not heal well. Therefore, a very soft toothbrush is recommended. To prevent infection, you should pay particular attention to clean teeth and healthy gums.
3. Beware of toothpaste purchase
Sodium lauryl sulfate is a substance that is found in many toothpastes. He is suspected of irritating the oral mucosa, so that he could favor the development of aphthous ulcers in sensitive people. In the 1990s, there were at least two studies that showed that people prone to aphthous ulcers get them much less often when they use a sodium lauryl sulfate-free toothpaste.
According to a 2012 study, it is also known that sodium lauryl sulfate leads to a more painful course, so existing aphthae hurt more when such a toothpaste is used.
When you start your toothpaste, make sure that you do not contain sodium lauryl sulfate. The substance may also be declared with sodium dodecyl sulfate, sodium lauryl sulfate or sodium dodecyl sulfate.
If you buy a toothpaste in the organic supermarket or in the relevant organic online retailer, you will find there a much larger selection of recommended toothpastes than in the conventional supermarket. Organic toothpastes are usually not only free of sodium lauryl sulfate, but overall have a healthier composition, such as the toothpastes by nature Hurtig .
3. Herbal rinses
Mouthwashes with a variety of anti-inflammatory and astringent effective medicinal plants such chamomile and sage.
From chamomile and sage you can just make a strong tea and rinse with this mouth (previously let the tea lukewarm). If you have the two medicinal plants in the form of tea bags at home, you can also put a teabag in warm water for a few minutes and place the bag directly in the mouth on the aphthous.
4. clove oil
Essential oil of clove anesthetizes the pain and is therefore particularly helpful in painful aphthae. You can dab the oil undiluted with a cotton swab or give it in water and thus do a mouthwash. Of course you can also simply chew a clove. Even then, the analgesic, anesthetic and disinfectant eugenol gets to the aphthous.
5. Cistus and saffron
The rockrose is a medicinal plant from the Mediterranean region. It generally has a healing effect on the skin and mucous membranes - and thus on the oral mucosa. Simply make a cistus tea and make mouthwashes several times a day.
The advantage: The aphthae not only retract, the teeth are also protected from plaque and tooth decay, as Freiburg researchers could show in a study. However, with long-term use, it can lead to tooth discoloration, so that we would recommend the mouthwash with the cistus only if there are actually aphthous ulcers.
Also the saffron originates like the cistus from the south. If you have the precious spice as a powder in the house, you can apply it to inflamed gums, aphthae or sores in the mouth area and massage gently. The use of saffron for this purpose is particularly easy if you previously mixed the powder with a little oil, such as Organic coconut oil.
6. Oil pulling
Even with oil you can rinse your mouth. One speaks of the so-called oil pulling. To do this, take a small or half teaspoon of cold-pressed sunflower oil, olive oil or coconut oil (extra virgin) into the mouth and stir the oil in the mouth for a few minutes, pull it through the teeth etc. and then spit it out again.
The oil cleanses the mouth, massages the gums and nourishes the oral mucosa. Oil pulling can also be done on a daily preventive basis or as a normal part of daily oral hygiene, regardless of whether or not you have aphthous ulcers.
7. Aloe vera and myrrh
Aloe vera is now well known for its anti-inflammatory, healing and immune stimulating properties. The gel from the aloe vera can be applied directly to the aphthae. It reduces pain and inflammation. Of course, it must be a pure amenable aloe vera gel without any perfume additives.
In a double-blind clinical study of 40 volunteers, it was found that the aphthae were smaller thanks to Aloe Vera Gel, less inflamed and less painful and also healed faster than in the placebo group.
A 2014 study compared the effects of aloe vera gel with a myrrh gel. Myrrh is especially an astringent medicinal plant. It has a concentrating, disinfecting and granulating effect, thus helping to heal.
In this study, patients who have had aphthous ulcers for two days or less should be given one of the two gels or placebo four times a day for a period of five days. In particular, the aloe vera gel was shown to promote healing while the myrrh gel was better at relieving pain, suggesting that alternate application of the two gels might be helpful.
The myrrh gel or something similar used in the study (it is a Saudi Arabian study) could not be found in commerce. However, there are myrrh in our climes for a very long time in the form of tinctures to buy, which can be dabbed on aphthous. You may also be able to use an essential oil of myrrh and dilute it in a base oil (e.g. coconut oil) 1:10 to 1:20.
8. Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 is actually THE vitamin for the nerves, the brain and also the blood. Apparently, vitamin B12 is also a very good remedy for aphthae. Regardless of the initial vitamin B12 serum level, a 2009 study found that people who had previously repeatedly developed aphthous ulcers did not receive aphthous ulcers after taking 1,000 μg of vitamin B12 daily for half a year bedtime).
However, even a specific B12 deficiency can lead directly to aphthae. For recurrent aphthous ulcers, therefore, the B12 level should always be checked. If you then fix the deficiency, it may be that the aphthae are finally a thing of the past, as shown in these three case studies in June 2005.
Since aphthae often lack other B vitamins (including folic acid ) and / or iron , these vital substances should also be taken into account and taken in sufficient doses.
9. Vitamin A
Vitamin A is not only an important vitamin for the eyes, but also for the mucous membranes of the body. Here, vitamin A regulates cell formation and regeneration. It also prevents pathogens from entering the mucous membranes.
According to pharmacist Uwe Gröber, in the case of inflammatory mucosal changes in the mouth, such as aphthae, it is recommended to take 25,000 IU of vitamin A per day until subsidence in the book "Orthomolecular Medicine".
As a precaution, we recommend a diet rich in beta-carotene. Because beta carotene is the vegetable precursor of vitamin A (which is only found in animal foods) and can be converted into vitamin A in the body.
Carrots , carrot juice, pumpkin , dried apricots, kale , lamb's lettuce, dandelion , fennel, parsley , dill, chervil, basil, and the microalgae Spirulina and Chlorella are particularly rich in beta- carotene .
10. Zinc
Zinc, in the form of zinc sulfate supplements, is often recommended for topical application to cold sores as it is antiviral. However, in a March 2003 study , researchers provided their subjects with 220 mg zinc sulfate daily as a dietary supplement (equivalent to about 50 mg zinc) or a placebo supplement for four weeks. Most participants had a low zinc level before the study. At the end of the four weeks, the aphthae had improved and did not reappear in the next three months.
Since a zinc deficiency, according to a study from June 2014 can apparently contribute to the increased emergence of aphthous ulcers, it is in any case recommended to take care of a good zinc supply, if the small mouth sores show a susceptibility.
If the zinc intake with the diet is not sufficient, you can resort to a dietary supplement with zinc. It is best to discuss the dose with your doctor, pharmacist or alternative practitioner.
Natural remedies for aphthae are best combined
It is ideal if you combine several of the presented natural remedies in the case of aphthae. So you should, for example, in each case clarify a lack of vital substances, if you always get aphthous ulcers. Good oral hygiene is just as important as the right toothpaste and a healthy nutrient-rich diet, which is automatically free of strong irritant ingredients, such as alcohol or substances that interfere with the oral flora, such as Sugar.