Aloe vera can help soothe mouth pains

Cold sores, fever blisters and canker sores can all cause pain and embarrassment, but you don't have to suffer helplessly while you wait for them to go away. The aloe vera plant may be able to help with these common oral health conditions.

Common mouth sores have many causes, including stress, illness (such as colds or flu), food allergies and bacterial or fungal infections. Irritants inside the mouth, such as a loose orthodontic wire, a denture that doesn't fit or a sharp edge from a broken tooth or filling.

Aloe vera accelerates healing and reduces pain associated with external cold sores. In addition to its anti-viral and anti-inflammatory properties, aloe vera provides benefits to the skin by adding amino acids and B1, B2, B6 and C vitamins. You can try treating cold sores by applying aloe vera lip balm or gel three times per day to a lesion until it has dried out. Cold sores are highly contagious, so be sure to wash your hands after applying the aloe vera.

Aloe vera juice also can help internal ulcerations of the mouth, including canker sores (a common condition usually caused by stress) and lichen planus (a disease of unknown origin affecting the skin and mucus membranes). However, be sure to always discuss proper treatment techniques for conditions inside your mouth with your dentist. Mouth sores may be a symptom of a disease or disorder, so your dentist should examine any mouth sore that lasts a week or longer. 

Last updated December 29, 2021