Mouth ulcers (also known as aphthous ulcers or canker sores) are shallow, painful sores inside the mouth. They appear as painful white or yellow ulcers surrounded by a bright red area. They can make eating, drinking, and talking uncomfortable. Nearly everyone suffers from mouth ulcers at one time or the other in their lives. Most would also agree that these insignificant-looking ulcers can cause major discomfort. For some people, the irritation and pain can be so troublesome that it tends to disrupt their daily life. Besides the pain, mouth ulcers have another troublesome feature associated with them- ‘frequent recurrence.’ These ulcers tend to occur very frequently in some people. It is a common issue with mouth ulcers that while the first lot is not fully healed, new ulcers are already on their way. Mouth ulcers (apthae) also tend to occur in crops or multiple numbers. The most common sites places where mouth ulcers appear are inside of the lips, inside of the cheeks, base of gums, under the tongue, on the palate. Ulcers on the tongue are also fairly common.
Homeopathic medicines for mouth ulcers work well to treat the ulcers quickly, and also help to prevent their recurrence. These are natural medicines for treatment of mouth ulcers that help during the acute phase of the condition in reducing pain as well as the duration of ulcers. Conventional treatment for recurrent mouth ulcers involves pain management and lowering of the healing time of the ulcer. However, conventional treatment does not cure the ulcers permanently as it usually advises using a rinse of saltwater, antiseptic liquids, baking soda or steroid to reduce the pain, but the underlying cause remains the same. This increases the tendency to develop ulcers again and again. However, homeopathic medicines for mouth ulcers work by naturally treating the cause of the problem. Homeopathy medicines help heal mouth ulcers quickly by speeding up the healing process.
Homeopathic medicines, along with healing ulcers, also assist in managing associated complaints of pain, tenderness, burning sensation, bleeding from ulcers, mouth dryness / excessive salivation. Any offensive odor from mouth is also reduced with these medicines.
Mouth ulcers can arise from various reasons and to get long-term results, that cause needs to be addressed. Homeopathic medicines always aim at treating the root cause behind recurrent mouth ulcers to give complete cure. Homeopathic medicines boost the body’s self-healing mechanism to fight with the cause to ensure natural recovery. For complete recovery in homeopathy, one needs to complete the entire course of treatment as prescribed by a homeopath.
Homeopathic medicines to treat recurrent mouth ulcers is selected individually for every case at all the times. The peculiar symptoms associated with mouth ulcers serve as the key to find the correct homeopathic prescription for every case. To obtain best results, one should take any homeopathic medicine after consulting a homeopathic doctor.
As well-known, homeopathy is a natural healing science due to which it has zero side effects. Homeopathic medicines are suitable to treat recurrent mouth ulcers in persons of any age group and always offer help without worry of any sort of adverse reactions.
Top 5 Homeopathic Medicines for Mouth Ulcers
Merc Sol, Borax, Nitric Acid, Arsenic Album and Kali Iodatum are some common medicines used for treating mouth ulcers.
1. Merc Sol – Top Medicine for Mouth Ulcers
Merc Sol is a leading medicine for treating mouth ulcers and is often considered the first line of treatment for mouth ulcers. It is indicated for all kind of ulcers whether small or big and in severe cases, where the mouth is inflamed with burning aphthous ulcers with a lot of salivation. In cases needing it, flat ulcers with red, inflamed edges on the tongue and the inside of the lips and cheeks are present. The ulcers are painful too. A foul, metallic taste is felt in the mouth. Merc Sol not only hastens the healing of ulcers and reduces the pain, but it also eradicates the tendency of frequent mouth ulcers.
When to use Merc Sol?
Merc Sol is highly recommended to treat mouth ulcers with red, inflamed margins, pain, and burning sensation with increased salivation.
How to use Merc Sol?
This medicine is mainly used in 30C power once a day.
2. Borax – For Mouth Ulcers that Bleed Easily
Borax is a highly effective medicine to treat ulcers that have a tendency to bleed easily when touched, or during eating. Other key indications for borax to be used are dryness in the mouth with rapid formation of the ulcers. The ulcers appear in the mouth especially on the inner surface of the cheeks. It is also used for mouth ulcers in infants and babies.
When to use Borax?
Borax is highly recommended to manage mouth ulcers having a tendency to bleed along with dryness in the mouth.
How to use Borax?
Both low and high potencies of this medicine work well, however, it is advised to begin with its 30C potency that can be taken one or two times a day.
3. Nitric Acid – For Mouth Ulcers with Severe Pain
Nitric Acid is a beneficial medicine for managing mouth ulcers accompanied with marked pain. The ulcers appear on the soft palate, within the cheeks and on the edges of the tongue. The pain in the ulcers is sticking type like that from a splinter. Salivation is increased and a bad odor emanates from the mouth.
When to use Nitric Acid?
This medicine is well indicated for treating mouth ulcers that are very painful with a splinter (a small sharp piece of wood or glass) like pain.
How to use Nitric Acid?
It is recommended to use this medicine once a day in 30C power.
4. Arsenic Album – For Mouth Ulcers With Burning Sensation
Arsenic Album is an important medicine to help cases of mouth ulcers when burning sensation is present. There is dryness in the mouth with intense thirst for water. Bitter, sour or metallic taste is felt in the mouth.
When to use Arsenic Album?
Arsenic Album is a very suitable medicine to treat mouth ulcers that have marked burning sensation along with dry mouth.
How to use Arsenic Album?
It can be taken in 30C potency once a day.
5. Kali Iodatum – For Mouth Ulcers With Irregular Shape And White Coating Like Milk
Kali Iodatum is a well-indicated medicine for mouth ulcers where irregular shaped ulcers appear in the mucous membrane of the mouth. The ulcers are white and appear as if coated with milk. Along with the ulcerative condition of the mouth, copious salivation, offensive mouth odor, heat in the mouth, swelling and bitterness in the mouth are some other symptoms that indicate the need for this medicine.
When to use Kali Iodatum?
This medicine is of great use in treating mouth ulcers having irregular shape and white color.
How to use Kali Iodatum?
Kali Iodatum 30C can be used once a day.
Causes of Recurrent Mouth Ulcers
1. The exact cause and process of development of mouth ulcers is not known. Ulcers can be the result of a combination of conditions, like:
2. A mechanical injury caused by the sharp edges of teeth, fillings, crowns, dentures, braces or even accidental biting of the inner mouth can lead to an ulcer due to irritation. Eating rough foods or putting sharp things like pens, toothpicks or fingernails in the mouth can also cause a tear in the mucous membrane, from where an ulcer can develop.
3. Putting hot food or beverages in the mouth can cause redness inside the mouth, especially in sensitive areas like the palate or the lining of the cheeks and back of the lips and lead to an ulcer.
4. Any strong or concentrated caustic chemicals, when kept for long in the mouth, can cause a chemical trauma inside the mouth. For example, holding medicine in the mouth instead of swallowing it can create a problem if the medicine is strong. Such injuries are more common in children or people under psychiatric care.
5. A viral, bacterial, fungal, parasitic contact can contribute to the growth of infection inside the mouth. A weakened immune system and a tear in the mucous membrane of the mouth can lead to the development of ulcers on the inner lining of the mouth.
6. Mouth ulcers can occur as a side effect of medications like antibiotics, painkillers, steroids, analgesics, NSAIDs (Non-Steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs).
7. Deficiency of Vitamin B12 and iron can trigger the growth of ulcers.
8. Tobacco is a major cause of mouth ulcers, so smokers are more prone to develop recurrent mouth ulcers. Alcohol also triggers mouth ulcers by disrupting the absorption of nutrients in the system.
9. Recurrent Aphthous Stomatitis (Canker Sore) is the most common cause of recurrent mouth ulcers. This condition causes the recurrent formation of oral ulcers for unknown reasons.
10. Xerostomia is a feeling of a dry mouth that is often associated with the decreased functionality of salivary glands. This prevents lubrication of the mucous membranes and due to excessive dryness in the mouth, lesions can appear inside the mouth.
11. The herpes simplex virus (HSV-1) also causes mouth ulcers as a symptom of the herpes infection.
Other factors that can contribute to the occurrence of recurrent mouth ulcers are:
Poor oral hygiene
Diabetes
Emotional stress
Dermatological causes like lichen planus, lupus erythematosus.
Products containing SLS (sodium lauryl sulfate), like toothpaste and mouthwash.
Gastrointestinal causes like celiac disease, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, etc.
Epithelial atrophy that makes the lining more fragile and easily breached.
Radiation-induced stomatitis is more common after radiotherapy. It can cause mucosal erosions and ulcerations on the lower jaw.
Vesiculobullous Diseases lead to the development of vesicles and bullae formation on the mucous membranes of the oral cavity, which tend to be fragile and quickly break down. These leave behind ulcers in the mouth.
Family tendency: Someone who has a family tendency of having recurrent mouth ulcers can be at high risk of developing it.
Hormonal changes: Due to hormonal changes that usually occur during menstruation, pregnancy or menopause, some women tend to experience oral changes that include the development of canker sores or bleeding from the gums.
Signs and Symptoms of Mouth Ulcers
Mouth ulcers feel like elevated areas inside the mouth, on areas like the inner cheeks, inside of the lips, under or on the tongue, and the sides of the tongue. Some common signs of a mouth ulcer include:
Yellow discoloration of the elevated area with the surrounding reddened edges. These can sometimes be coated with a white or milky lining.
Swelling inside the cheeks or the lips
Bleeding from the ulcers
Dryness in the mouth
Offensive odor from the mouth
Some common symptoms of recurrent mouth ulcers include:
Pain: Pain can range from mild to moderate or even severe and it depends completely on the individual case
Discomfort: These can cause significant discomfort in eating, drinking or even while talking
Tenderness of the affected area
Burning sensation in the mouth
Tingling in the affected area
Warmth and dryness of the mouth with increased thirst
Excessive salivation
Irritation of the sores by acidic, rough or dry foods






Dear Dr.Sharma
I am facing mouth ulcer problem 3 years onwards, i applied DOLO GEL, kindly let us know were i have to take treatment & which medicine i want to take, kindly let us know doctor, its very pain, i cant eat, drink anything,
Regards
Chethan
9902542008
sir,
I am fed up of taking aleopathy medicine (rinifol,folvite,becosule etc.) for mouth ulcer. i want to ask about remedy for both severe mouth ulcer(frequent,particularly if any painkiller is taken ,say for head dace) and sleeplessness. this problem is there for many years
Sir, For the last 2-3 days, I am having the mouth ulcers. I cann’t take any food with salt and chilly. I am getting irritated. It started as throat pain. Which is the best medicine for this. Please help.
dr. saab namaskaar,
mera naam rajesh hai,
sir me delhi me rehta hu.
sir mujhe last 6 month se throat me pain hota hai. aur throat lal rehta hai.
morning evening me lagataar chinke aati hai. aur naak behti hai.
aur throat me kaf girta rehta hai. jisase throat me right side me pain hota hai.
allopathic doctor se treatment liya lekin koyi fayda nahi hua.
sar me bhi pain hota hai. aur sar me bharipan rehta hai.
please sir mujhe koi medicine bataye jo delhi me mil jaaye.
thanks
rajesh aswal
Very good article but mein apni patni ka treatment kar raha hoon,thik hone ke bad or comment, but i want to talk to a doctor.
Thanks for the information in your site.
I get mouth ulcer allergy when the trauma of the past trigger. I cannot guess which one causes each time.
Though not frequent, I get mouth allergy whenever I take sandwich with mioneese.
When it attackers I go through same symptoms of depression and exhaustion, with sticky tongue and low salivation. Please advise whether Merc Sol with rescue remedy will heal.
nice
Respected Dr. Sharma,
I am now 71+ and suffering from chronic and acute mouth ulcers for over 25 years.
Presently the frequency of occurrence has gone up and it is taking unusually long time to heal.
I have consulted oncologists and they have diagnosed these ulcers as benign.
Assuming that my teeth are the cause of these ulcers, i have removed all but three teeth over the years.
I can’t use denture due to frequent ulceration and as a result i have restricted diet.
I have tried all known homeopathic medicines including the medicines listed but unfortunarely no permanent cure.
If you have any medical advice for me, i shall be obliged.
Regards
dear doctor,
iam suferring from recurrent ulcers in the tongue and thraot.i need your reply.
teena ajit
abudhabi.
D/sir I m having tingling soensation in my left cheekline of oral cavity for last six monte. There is slight thickening of mucosa. I ve free jaw movement and regularly taking vitamins. I m on anti anxiety pill also can u recomend any medicine to get rid of heaviness and sensation. Regards , Pankaj
Sir iam suffering continuos mouth alcers and for thepast 1year.iam regularly taking homeo but no use,even ihv visited Ent specialists.previously ulcer cured in aweek but now it is continuos for above 3weeks.pls suggest
one dose M Sol200 le le
Dear Dr Sharma,
I am a vet nurse & i also groom cats. I have a client who owns a 7yo domestic cat that has constant ulcers on top of the tongue.. It was having prednisolone weekly however as you are aware, these steroidial medications longterm arent desirable. I am going to advise getting bloods done for Kidney disease profile.. I believe it may be Eosinophilic Complex Disease.
I suggested a combination of homeopathic/ natural treatments to help assist with immune building.. ie B Complex vitamins, Lysine.. Are there any other effective treatments you could suggest or recommend with this type of problem?
Regards
Jodie
Sir,I am suffering acute mouth ulcer since many years.White patches appears on thounge.Many times this disappears for few months.I take churne for consipitation.Kind ly advice.
My daughter is having ulcer for past 2 days
And unable to apply bonjela in her mouth.
Can you recommend any other remedy?she is 4 yrs old.is there any powder form to dissolve the ulcer??
She’s having hard time eating. Wat foods
Should be eaten at this time?? Please Advice??await
Urgent reply…
THANKS
SHASHI KALA
SINGAPORE
Plz inform me about the cover that can be put on an oral major multiple and recurrent ulcer thst decrease pain and induces healing
Dear DOCTOR,
Glad to consult you, am getting mouth ulcer frequently every 2 months atleast if i got pain still it lasts for a week or more than a week, it looks like white patch covered with reddish (o.5 mm )at the surface behind grinding teeth where it causes severe pain for more than 5 days. please suggest me some good ideas to eradicate my pain and permanent cure for mouth ulcer and do you find any good medication available in homeopathy than english medicine.please help me
can merc sol be used for cats with mouth ulcers which are due to feline leukemia instead of the steroid treatments?
Dear Dr. Sharma,
I get this feeling that I suffer from bad breath. I maintain good oral hygiene. I brush twice daily, once in the morning and once in the evening. I have consulted the dentist too who has told me that my teeth are in good condition and there does not seem to be any problem.
Requesting you to help me ascertain the cause of this issue because it hampers social activities.
Looking forward to your solution.
Thanks and Regards..
Sir,
I have been suffering from mouth ulcers for long time nearly 4 to 5 years and have consulted many doctors, even from Lucknow PGI, but got no benifit other than for days.
So please suggest me
I am getting frequent mouth ulcers below and side portion of the tongue, lips, inside the cheeks and the pain is unbearable. It remains for almost 15 – 20 days and at a time i get two to three mouth ulcers in the mouth.
Please suggest a suitable remedy
My wife has follicullar tonsilites as said by the doctor. I was advised to take mercsol 200(30 size prl). Kindly advise me the best possible remedy.