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






Hi Doctor,
My 4 year old son has ulcers in throat, I’m giving him Mecr Sol 30, (3-4 pills)from 2 days, still he is having pain while eating and drinking water.
Please advise.
Thank you,
Neha Rakesh
Dear Dr . Sharma,
This is Eshrak from Dhaka, Bangladesh. I am suffering in aphthous ulceration last 4 years regularly. At a time two or three ulcer may develop, but up to five may appear at the same time. Each ulcer heals within 10-15 days. They are usually very painful. I asked my doctor (GP) many times for treatment, but he advise me no treatment needed. I would appreciate if you could please prescribe me on this.
Best regards,
Eshrak
Dear sir, please suggest me as am getting mouth ulcers frequently from past some years please suggest me I am getting only one place at a time when it occurs.
wiating yor repply
Dear sir I m 41 years old man ht 171 cm.wt 92 kg my problem is mouth ulcer white tongue redish on corner occurance lasting around 17 yr back long burping constipation mucus cramps and pain in abdomain thick saliva cough and sneezing in week or 15 days no sugar occasionaly alcohalic and smoking 3 to 5 cigarrates daily no pan masala on sada pan work as a caterer so in marriage days hardly sleep in night previous medicine omez pantop izra d cyra d rinifol folvite nux merc sol chellidonium nat.phos 6c
Hi Dr.Sharma,
This is Naga Phaneendra, I always suffer from these mouth ulcers , almost 300 days a year from mostly 5 or 6 years i think, recently i have heard that, if these are got into serious condition, there may be a chance of infecting to lungs too. I am so afraid of these now, how to get a permanent treatment for this mouth ulcer, so that in my life it won’t affect again?
Regards,
Naga Phaneendra.
I am suffering from tongue ulcer since last 2and a half years. I have even got the biopsy also, and the report is negative. The doctor say that there is no medication for ulcer. I have become helpless. Would you please show treatment in homeopathy for this ulcer of tongue. i
Is Merc.sol.30c available in Mumbai? Please help me to get rid of this very painfull tongue ulcer.
I will be very gratefull to you. Thanks.
I have had mouth ulcers for over 13 years had blood test,been to the dentist,doctors, had herbal median but nothing works can you help me
Sir,
Hello Doctor. How are you. I am from Bangladesh. My wife name is Maksuda she is 38 years old. She is suffering from mouth ulcer since 20 years ago. Some times she is feel very sick due to the non taking the food. Frequently we saw it on the tongue & some times it in the lip .
Now I am seeking your advise how we can remove that diseases .
Expecting your suggestion.
Thanks.
Shahid
i have apathous ulcres from five to six months in mouth with painful sensation. please tell me medicine to get rid from this problem
sir, my daughter is 18 moths old. whe has developed certain mouth ulcer. we used somogel but did not work. currently fruits like mango, leechi, yellow melon is a part her diet. she feels terrible pain in her tongue. please advise us what and how to use with fruits to be avoided.
Dr Sharma
Namaskar
I m from nepal.during 2 month i have Mouth Ulcer.i m not well by alopathy so i would like to request please which Homeopathic medicine will be effective me .I m waiting your feverable Response.
Thank You Dr.Sab
Hi Doctor,
I am suffering from an ulcer on top of my tongue,i am not sure as it has come due to tooth bite.I am suffering since last 6 Month , i have taken several B complex folic acid medicine. Its appearance is white and gives severe burning sensation while eating spicy food.Recently i visited a doctor he suggested to do a biopsy test. I am little scared please advise.
Mouth ulcers are very commonly coming to me but they disappear whenever i take B complex caps but this time its not going.
Got a small pimple just inside my mouth on the lower lip. I pressed it to take out the pus. After that for 6 months the pimple is still there. Sometimes it subsides but then comes again. It is the size of a tear drop. It does not pain but if I press it with my tongue then it hurts a little bit.
Hi Dr. Sharma
My 9 years old son is suffering from frequent moth ulcers or canker sores since he was 9 months. I have usually he has 3 at one time all through the year. Can you please advise.
Thanks
dear sir, i have ulcer on my tongue since three months. i saw physician and dentist too. but they can’t solve the problem. plz suggest me any treatment for my disease.
dr.sharma ,i am a lean active 72 year old woman . noone in my family on either side has diabetes but 2/3 months ago i have develped it. my blood sugar fasting was 150 and random also 150. i am on diet and am taking only hoeopathic medicine syzgium jambolana and gymneme sylvestre Q 10 drops 3 times a day .pls could you recommend some medicine which can lower myblood sugar + reactivate my pancreas . iam in a very stressful situation and have been under severe stress for last 6 years . thank you
I have what appears to be cankers on my tongue, more than on my gums or cheeks. The ones on my tongue cause me more trouble . I can’t eat or even talk, depending where they are located.
I use multiple vitamins, b50 complex, cod liver oil and coenzyme Q10.
Do you have any suggestions?
Dear Dr. Sir, Namaskar.
I am shanti Sharma,50 yrs,wt 65 kg have developed pain & severe inflammation on my left knee.
I took allopathy treatment for one year found no lasting cure.I was advised by the allopathic physician to try Homeopathy treatment and accordingly I took homeopathy treatment with remedies-Rhus Tox 30x & Bryonia 30x 15 drops both morning & evening for one month.I got relief and the inflammation & pain reduced to 90 % but sir I still have difficulty to move after sitting for few minutes. I feel stiffness & cracking sound and sometimes feel pain both sides of patella and slight inflammation at times.
Sir, I am sure I will be fully cured if not controlled from further deterioration.I have gone through your Web site and have found your expertise in Homeopathy remedies.Recently I have developed “Buffalo Hump” on my neck back. Please diagnose and advise me for a cure.
I shall highly be thankful for this kind acts
With kind regards
Shanti Devi Sharma.
New Delhi-62
sir, l am a frequent victim of canker sores. The worst condition occurs when it affect the tounge. I cannot speak or eat due to pain. I tried a lot of B complex tablets, sea cod tablets. Presently using Nutrolin B plus capsule gives some relief. Is there remeady in homeopath?
Hello Dr.
Am patrick from Nigeria, please sir, I despirately need ur help, I have bEen having serious mouth sores which comes wit a lot of pains for morethan 10 years now. Please sir I will be most grateful if u help me with an urgent solution to this, it last for morthan a week with severe pains which completely puts my whole life in a mess while it lasts, and I can’t even talk or eat or go out to meet people, am alwys in doors while it last. Please doctor help me. Crying.
Reply me soon pls doctor