A mouth wash is used to effectively treat canker sores or mouth ulcers including oral mucositis caused by local trauma including those arising after undergoing chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Treatment for mouth ulcers are immediately needed since it can produce terrible pain while making it hard for someone to speak, eat or swallow.
Antimicrobial mouth wash
An anti-microbial mouth wash is very reliable in killing bacteria, fungi and viruses as well, all of which contribute to mouth infection or a mouth ulcer.
A mouth wash may contain an antibiotic to eliminate bacteria around the mouth, a corticosteroid to cure inflammation, an anti-fungal to lessen fungal growth, a local anesthetic or antihistamine to get rid of pain and discomfort as well as a corticosteroid to suppress inflammation. Your doctor may recommend you to use it for every four to six hours to hasten relief of pain created by the mouth ulcers.
Correct gargling
Gargling of the mouth wash for each session must last for about two minutes prior to spitting out the mouth cleaning solution. It is advised not to eat within 30 minutes after gargling with the mouth wash for the liquid medicine to have time to take effect.
Side effects
Side effects that come with the use of the mouth wash are drowsiness, burning or tingling sensation in the mouth, diarrhea, nausea, taste problems and sometimes constipation. Initial use of mouth wash may also cause numbness but this is only temporary. Mouth wash containing benzydamine may produce a sting during initial use but this gradually lessens on your next mouth washing sessions.
Natural mouth wash
An over the counter mouth wash may be used after using a natural kind of mouth wash such as saltwater solution which is very effective in disinfecting mouth sores or mouth ulcers.
Forming a saltwater solution for washing your mouth is easy and is done by mixing a teaspoon or two teaspoons of salt with a warm glass of water. The saline solution should be maintained in your mouth for a few minutes and should be swished from side to side before spitting the solution. Remember not to swallow the solution since saline solution may keep you dehydrated. This routine should be repeated or performed for at least three to four times a day after meals and before going to bed.
Diphenhydramine suspension wash
The over-the-counter mouth wash such as a diphenhydramine suspension wash can totally remove the bacteria left behind after gargling the saline solution and help reduce the pain .