Over-the-counter gels provide temporary pain relief for both minor and moderate cankers. They feature an anesthetic called benzocaine that numbs the affected area. They also shield the canker from ...

Abscess If you notice a painful bump on the roof of your mouth, it could be an abscess—an infection that forms when bacteria ...

While treatment is usually not necessary for canker sores, you may wish to rinse with saltwater or use OTC remedies to soothe symptoms. Oral cancer found early can be surgically removed or treated ...

But Wolff says a salt water rinse can help ease the pain. “It does seem to soothe canker sores,” he says. It can relieve dry mouth. If it feels like your mouth has morphed into the Sahara ...

For a minor canker, you probably don’t need a prescribed medication. Before all else, try home remedies: swab a mix of water and hydrogen peroxide onto the sore several times per day, or rinse ...