There are many topical medicines for canker sores such as ointment and paste.
Triamcinolone
An example of a topical ointment for mouth ulcers or mouth sores is triamcinolone which is usually applied at bedtime and should be done for two or three times daily one after each meal. The directions given by your doctor for the application of triamcinolone should be followed precisely after clear discussion with your doctor or pharmacist.
Only the target area should receive treatment from the topical ointment. Wrapping or putting a bandage on the treated area should be avoided unless suggested by your doctor.
Betamethasone
The dental paste form of betamethasone is used in treating mouth ulcers or canker sores but user must be aware of the side effects of the topical steroid. Medical help should be immediately sought when signs of allergic reactions such as hives, swelling of face, lips, tongue or throat, difficulty in breathing occur.
You must also seek for medical help or stop using the medication when experiencing blurred vision, mood changes, sleeping problems, uneven heartbeats, feeling of tiredness since you may have absorbed betamethasone topical through your skin and gums.
Benzocaine
A topical medication such as benzocaine (Oragel) is also available in drugstores. It can be applied for a few times daily and directly to the mouth sore to reduce irritation when eating, brushing and also when drinking water or any other fluids. However, benzocaine products should not be used for children below two years of age unless advised by a medical expert.
Lidocaine
Lidocaine which is an over-the-counter anesthetic can also be used directly on the canker sore to effective relieve pain caused by the mouth sore and discomfort as well.
A topical antibiotic may also be prescribed by your doctor or dentist if the mouth sore has been infected by bacteria and when you show signs of pus discharge, fever, crusting and redness which are also considered signs of infection.
Other kinds of topical paste are fluocinonide (Lidex), amlexanox (Aphthasol) and Orabase which can be applied directly to the sores to instantly alleviate pain and enable quick healing. The advice of your doctor is still very important on how to apply this cream and how much or how long medication should last to prevent complications.