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Mouth Sores
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Mouth Sores: Home Care & Treatment
Mouth sores generally last 7 to 10 days, even if you don't do anything. They sometimes last up to two weeks. There are several measures you can take, however, to feel better during that time:
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Gargle with cool water or eat posicles. This is particularly helpful if you have a mouth burn.
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Avoid hot beverages and foods, spicy and salty foods, and citrus.
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Take pain relievers like acetaminophen (Tylenol).
For canker sores, it is helpful to also:
Orabase, a nonprescription preparation, may be applied for protection of a sore inside the lip and on the gums. Blistex or Campho-Phenique may provide some relief of canker sores and fever blisters, especially if applied when the sore initially appears.
Additional measures that may help cold sores or fever blisters include:
Anti-viral medications for herpes lesions of the mouth may be recommended by your doctor. Some experts feel that they shorten the time that the blisters are present, while others claim that these drugs make no difference.
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• Definition
• Mouth Sores: Common Causes
• Mouth Sores: Home Care & Treatment
• Mouth Sores: Prevention
• Call your Health Care Provider if
• What to Expect at your Health Care Provider's Office
• Pictures & Images
Topics that might be of interest to you Diseases & Conditions
• AIDS
• Autoimmune Disorders
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• Hand - Foot - Mouth Disease
Other Topics
• Fever
• Fever Blisters and Canker Sores
• Malignancy
• Patches
Review Date : 10/17/2003
Reviewed By : Jacqueline A. Hart, M.D., Department of Internal Medicine, Newton-Wellesley Hospital, Boston, Ma., and Senior Medical Editor, A.D.A.M., Inc.
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