Unlike cold sores, canker sores occur on soft tissues in your mouth and at the bottom of the gums. With extreme pain canker sores make it difficult to eat or talk, it’s in white or yellow color surrounded by red border.
About 20% of people have canker sores, with women affecting more than men. According to Mayoclinic most cankers go away within two weeks and they’re not contagious. Alum which is used by men after shave can fasten the healing process.
Alum powder for canker sores has burning sensation and children may find it difficult to withstand. Anyhow, when you mix alum powder with lukewarm water you can easily treat cankers. Cankers are classified into 3 types depending on their size and effect. Minor canker sores heal within weeks, where as major sores take months and leave scar when treated. Third type is herpetiform sores with multiple small sores (~100 sores).
If you don’t see positive results in a week after using alum reach your doctor for diagnosis.
- You can get alum block from a local store. Break it small pieces and powder them using mortar and pestle.
- On the other side boil a glass of water, add 1 tbsp of crystal salt and 1/2 tbsp of alum powder to it. When ingredients are dissolved, remove the pan from heat.
- Let it cool for few minutes, then strain the ingredients and use it as a mouth rinse thrice a day.
Alternatively, you can use raw alum powder by placing little quantity over canker sores. Remember not to swallow it.
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There is no single cause for canker sores. Stress, injuries in mouth and hereditary may cause sores in mouth. Women tend to experience sores during menstrual cycle. Toothpaste with sodium lauryl sulfate tend to cause cankers sores on soft tissue of mouth.
Rinsing with salt can relieve you from pain, says Mayoclinic. Dab milk of magnesia over canker sores to fasten the healing. Whats your say on alum powder for canker sores.