Most people have experienced a canker sore at some point in their lives. If you’re one of these people, you know firsthand how irritating and even painful a canker sore can be. But there are several ways you can get rid of canker sores fast.

First, you must determine if what you have is a canker sore, not a cold sore. Canker sores are a type of mouth ulcer, and generally appear on the inside of your mouth, not the outside as a cold sore would. Cold sore remedies usually will not help canker sores at all. Everyday activities such as eating, drinking, and talking can further irritate canker sores from the food, drink, and your teeth rubbing against the sores.

Once you know that it is in fact a canker sore that is giving you problems, you can choose your remedy. There are several home remedies for canker sore treatment. You can choose to rinse your mouth several times a day with salt water, hydrogen peroxide, or a solution of water and goldenseal powder or baking soda.

There are also home remedies that you apply directly to the canker sore, either in a paste or liquid form. These remedies can help speed healing because the solution remains in contact with the canker sore longer than a mouthwash does. You can make a paste out of baking soda or goldenseal powder, or apply liquid milk of magnesia or hydrogen peroxide directly to the canker sore with a Q-Tip.

If you find that home remedies don’t work fast enough for you or don’t work at all, there are also several over-the-counter products you can buy to get rid of canker sores. These products are available in paste, gel, and mouthwash form. As a last resort if the over-the-counter remedies don’t help you, your doctor can prescribe medications that are even stronger.

However, the best way to get rid of canker sores is to prevent them in the first place. Although it’s not exactly clear what causes canker sores to form, the leading theories are mouth injuries, allergies, and vitamin deficiency, particularly Vitamin B12. To avoid mouth injury, chew your food carefully so that you don’t bite the insides of your mouth, and try to avoid sharp-edged foods like chips if you’re prone to canker sores. Avoid eating foods that you know you are allergic to, and acidic foods that can irritate the inside of your mouth, causing canker sores to form. Eating a balanced diet and taking a daily multivitamin can ensure that you get enough Vitamin B12 and other vitamins to avoid becoming deficient in them.

Canker sores can be very painful and irritating, but they do heal. The number of remedies available to get rid of canker sores fast ensures that you will not have to wait any longer than absolutely necessary to get relief from the pain. With a little trial and error, you can easily find the best remedy for you to use every time you get a canker sore, which will have you eating, drinking, and talking normally again in no time.