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How Can I Get Rid of a Cold Sore in the Mouth?

By Patrick Lynch
Updated May 17, 2024
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A cold sore can be painful but can be treated in a number of ways. Mouthwash and hydrogen peroxide have antibacterial qualities that help get rid of the sore. An oral patch can also be placed in the mouth for instant pain relief. Avoid using regular medication in tablet form unless there is no other available method of pain relief. Ice can be used as an emergency pain reliever until better treatments come available.

A cold sore in the mouth can appear for a variety of reasons. It can manifest itself after an accidental bite or bacteria. It is also known as a canker sore and can be extremely painful. Fortunately, there are a number of ways to get rid of a cold sore.

Mouthwash is an effective method of getting rid of a cold sore in the mouth. Sores could appear because of a build up of bacteria in the mouth. Oral cold sores are normally open wounds meaning that pieces of food and germs become attached, thereby worsening the problem. When mouthwash is gargled, its active ingredients kill bacteria, thus soothing the pain caused by the cold sores.

Another way to remove a cold sore in the mouth is with hydrogen peroxide. Use it with water to improve the healing process. Place the mixture on one end of a cotton swab and dab it on the sore. Put milk of magnesia on the other end of the swab and apply it to the sore. This mixture will instantly reduce pain and gradually remove the canker sore.

Although seldom used, an oral patch is an effective means of removing a cold sore in the mouth. Consult a dentist before taking the patch, however. Once it has been prescribed, apply it to the cold sore to ease pain. After a few days, the cold sore should be completely gone.

Other less effective methods to get rid of a cold sore in the mouth include over-the-counter medication. Occasionally, the same type of medication used to treat headaches will work. These tablets do little but relieve pain for a few hours at most, however, and do nothing to remove the sore.

If there are no treatments available, apply some ice to the cold sore in the mouth. Rub the ice over the sore in order to numb it. Although this will not remove the sore, it can give the sufferer an opportunity to have it properly treated.

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Discussion Comments

By fBoyle — On Jun 06, 2014

It's possible to fight cold sores with foods that have anti-viral properties too. For example, fresh garlic, cloves, ginger and cinnamon all have antiviral properties. Eating foods with fresh garlic and making tea with cloves, ginger and cinnamon are very helpful. They strengthen the immune system too, so that the body can beat the virus and put it back into dormant stage when it doesn't cause cold sores.

By SteamLouis — On Jun 05, 2014

Ice cubes are the best for mouth cold sores. They numb the area and reduce inflammation. That's how I managed a very painful mouth cold sore last week.

By literally45 — On Jun 05, 2014

I don't think hydrogen peroxide or mouthwash work well for cold sores in the mouth. I tried both and they both burned a lot and irritated the blister further.

Anti-viral medications are really the best for cold sores in the mouth. These blisters are more sensitive and painful than ones on the lips. So I think it's important to avoid home remedies that will make the blister even more painful. Anti-viral medications help kill the viruses causing the cold sores. If taken at the first signs of a cold sore, the medications can prevent them. If the blister has already formed, anti-viral medications can make them go away faster.

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