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| - Last Updated on January 3, 2023 by Neelam Singh
Quick Take
A YouTube video overestimates that a homemade mouthwash containing baking soda can effectively treat uncomfortable canker sores at home. We verified the assertion’s accuracy. Our analysis shows that the claim is largely untrue.
The Claim
A YouTube video with the caption “Baking soda: Canker sores” emphasizes the effectiveness of using baking soda as a natural treatment for mouth ulcers or canker sores. Additionally, the video suggests baking soda mouth rinses can ease the discomfort brought on by these lesions and balance their acidity.
Fact Check
What exactly are canker sores?
Canker sores are aphthous ulcers. The oral mucosa’s most prevalent ulcerative disease manifests as painful, shallow, round ulcers with a clearly defined inflamed reddish margin and a yellowish-gray pseudomembranous center. These lesions could occur rarely or frequently. Although the exact cause of these lesions is still unknown, a number of causes have been put forth as potential culprits, including trauma, specific underlying diseases, any immunologic, genetic, allergic, or dietary factors, as well as viral and bacterial infections. Additionally, some medications, including immunosuppressive ones like calcineurin and mTOR inhibitors, have been linked to severe lesions.
Can one get rid of canker sores naturally with baking soda?
No, not exactly. On social media, the use of baking soda as a home remedy for canker sores and other oral conditions has gained enormous popularity. Although baking soda is naturally alkaline, it is possible that it helps relieve the burning sensation brought on by canker sores that have already appeared. However, baking soda is not a cure-all for the lesions themselves and may even be harmful. This might be explained by the lesions’ multifactorial etiology. Home remedies are, therefore, not advised for these conditions. Additionally, there are not sufficient credible studies discussing baking soda mouthwash’s effectiveness in treating aphthous ulcers. However, avoiding triggers that lead to ulcers is best, particularly if the patient in question has noticed a connection. Besides, one with canker sores should stay away from hard, acidic, and spicy foods and drinks like fruit juices, tomatoes, citrus fruits, pepper, paprika, and curry, as well as alcoholic and carbonated beverages.
We asked Dr. Pooja Bhardwaj, BDS, about the efficacy of baking soda in treating canker sores. She advised against using baking soda because doing so might be harmful, even though it lowers oral acidity and bacterial activity and may speed healing. Additionally, different people may develop this condition for a variety of reasons, such as stress, hormonal issues, genetics, eating foods high in acid, etc. Therefore, it might not work in every situation. She further recommended that cases of canker sores that recur frequently should be treated with a combination of prescribed corticosteroids and a mild antiseptic like hydrogen peroxide or benzocaine. It is always advisable to get the dentist’s opinion before opting for any at-home treatments.
How should canker sores be addressed?
Treatment is usually not necessary for patients with infrequent small ulcers. While canker sores could be recurrent in nature, so clinical and preventative measures are used in their management to enhance the quality of life. The right course of action is determined by the degree of the symptoms as well as the frequency, size, and number of ulcers. Prescribed topical medications, systemic and topical steroids, corticosteroids, cauterization, antibodies, mouthwashes containing active enzymes, laser therapies, and combination therapy are some of the available treatments today. With the proper topical therapy, patients who occasionally experience minor ulcer episodes significantly feel better. Although topical management may provide relief in the majority of cases, systemic therapy is usually prescribed for major lesions.
However, there are a number of preventive measures that could ease this discomfort. These primarily include drinking lots of water, keeping your mouth clean, using warm saline rinses, and avoiding foods that are hot, spicy, or acidic.
THIP MEDIA TAKE: We come to the conclusion that while natural home remedies like baking soda may temporarily alleviate symptoms, they are unable to heal the lesions themselves. It is deceptive to suggest using baking soda to treat canker sores. As a result, it is imperative to see a doctor to ascertain the underlying cause for proper treatment of canker sores. Hence, the assertion is mostly false.
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