Last update: 23-02-1404 Confirming doctor: Dr. Saeed Qureshi
Author: Elahe Panahi
Children's mouth disease is one of the common and annoying problems that can cause pain, restlessness and disturbance in their eating or speaking. These small but painful wounds usually occur for various reasons such as weak immune system, minor oral injuries or even improper nutrition. Fortunately, there are effective home and medical methods for **quick treatment of canker sores in children**. In this article, we will review useful, safe and quick solutions to reduce pain and accelerate the recovery of mouth sores. If you are looking for an immediate treatment for your child's mouth sores, stay with us until the end of this article.
What are the symptoms of mouth sores in children?
Oral thrush in children occurs in different ways and the severity of its symptoms depends on the age of the child, the immune status of the body and the cause of the thrush. Knowing these signs helps parents to take the necessary measures to quickly treat children's mouth sores and prevent further discomfort for their child. - Seeing small white or yellow sores with inflamed and red edges in a round or oval shape in the inner parts of the mouth (gums, inside the cheeks, under and on the tongue)
Pain or burning in the wound area, especially when eating or drinking liquids
- Restlessness and unusual crying (especially in babies)
Refusal to breastfeed or eat due to pain
- Slight swelling in the gums or around the wound
- Stuttering or difficulty speaking (if there is a sore on the tongue or lips)
Excessive drooling in babies due to mouth irritation
- The maximum size of children's canker sores is 6 mm
- At least three sores are observed in the child's mouth every time they are bitten. - Sores outside the mouth (on the lips or facial skin) are not pests. Unlike some oral infections such as herpes, oral thrush is not associated with fever. In some cases, parents confuse canker sores with herpes. If the symptoms and treatment of these two oral ulcers are completely different. For more information, visit the cold sores treatment page. You can see an example **photo of a child's mouth sores** in the image below:
The cause of mouth sores in children
Canker sores usually appear suddenly, and the exact cause is not known. But there are several reasons that contribute to the creation of this oral ulcer. Knowing the underlying factors of mouth sores in children and babies will help you prevent the recurrence of this condition and take better care of your child's oral health. The most important causes of mouth sores in children and babies include the following:
- Weakness of the immune system and reduction of the body's ability to deal with environmental factors and inflammation
Minor physical injuries to the mouth, such as accidentally biting the lip or cheek, wounds caused by rough brushing, and eating hard or sharp foods.
Allergy or food sensitivity to foods such as chocolate, nuts, citrus fruits, spicy foods or additives
Lack of vitamins and minerals, especially iron, zinc, vitamin B12 and folic acid
- Stress or mental pressure (even in young children)
- Viral, bacterial or fungal infections
- Hormonal changes or dental growth in babies
- Using some medicines or special mouthwashes
- Family history of oral thrush (genetics)
home treatment of mouth sores in children
Canker sores usually do not require medical treatment, and the pain and other symptoms can be relieved by using simple and safe home remedies. Informed parents can provide the conditions for the rapid treatment of children's mouth ulcers by observing oral and dental hygiene and using natural and harmless substances. In the following, you will learn about the most effective methods of **home treatment of children's mouth sores**. ###
diphenhydramine syrup
This drug, which is usually used to treat the symptoms of allergies and colds, can be used topically and diluted to reduce inflammation and relieve the pain of mouth sores. Of course, it is recommended to treat a child's mouth sores with diphenhydramine carefully and according to the doctor's opinion. Because self-administration of this drug without a doctor's prescription may have side effects. ###
mouthwash
The use of mild mouthwashes for children can help to disinfect the oral environment, reduce bacteria and prevent the infection of mouth sores. Mouthwashes without alcohol or containing herbal extracts such as chamomile or aloe vera are more suitable for children. Remember, the use of mouthwash for **treatment of mouth sores in infants** is not recommended in any way. ###
Ice compress
Applying small pieces of ice or cold compresses on the affected area can temporarily reduce the pain and inflammation of the wounds. This simple method **home treatment of mouth sores in children** is useful and completely safe. It is better not to put ice directly on the skin or wound, but wrap it in a thin and soft cloth so as not to irritate the wound and cause more discomfort. ###
salt water
Gargling or rinsing the mouth with a salt water solution (a teaspoon of salt in a glass of lukewarm water) helps disinfect the wound and reduce inflammation. This natural method can speed up the healing process of the pest. You can repeat gargling with salt water 2 to 3 times a day to treat mouth sores. In young children, be careful not to swallow the solution. ###
natural honey
Due to its anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, honey can help to relieve the pain of canker sores and **quick treatment of children's canker sores**. Apply a small amount of honey to the affected area with an ear cleaner. This method is safe for children over one year of age, but is not recommended for infants under one year of age due to the risk of botulism. ###
Aloe Vera
Natural aloe vera gel has anti-inflammatory, soothing and restorative properties and is useful for reducing pain and accelerating the healing process of a child's mouth sores. Apply a small amount of pure gel (preferably fresh plant) on the child's mouth sore. The use of aloe vera is safe for children, provided that the gel is completely natural and without additives. ###
tea bags
Tea (black or green) contains tannin and helps in reducing the inflammation of mouth ulcers. Put a tea bag in boiling water and wait for it to cool after brewing. Then put it on the affected area to relieve pain and inflammation. Using this simple method once a day is enough. ###
Strengthening the immune system
One of the best ways to prevent and **quick treatment of children's mouth sores** is to strengthen their immune system. Eating healthy, getting enough sleep, consuming fresh fruits and vegetables, and including vitamins C and B12 as well as minerals such as iron and zinc in the diet play an important role in making the child's body resistant to oral ulcers. ###
Cold and cool foods
Consuming cool foods such as yogurt, cucumber, cold milk, soup and simple porridge can help reduce inflammation and relieve the pain of mouth sores. These foods calm the oral environment and prevent wound irritation. Avoid giving spicy, sour or salty foods to the child until the sores are completely healed.
Immediate treatment of mouth sores in children
To reduce the pain caused by canker sores in children, the use of topical gels containing benzocaine or lidocaine can be useful. By creating local anesthesia, these gels quickly relieve pain and help the child to eat or drink more easily. One of the effective drugs for **immediate treatment of children's mouth sores** is Aftin gel, which helps to reduce inflammation and accelerate the healing of mouth ulcers. Please note that this medicine should not be swallowed by children. Parents are advised to consult a pharmacist, pediatric dentist or specialist doctor before using any medicine for their child and ensure the safety and appropriate dosage of the product for their child. ###
How to use topical gels
1. Wash and dry your hands well to prevent the transfer of bacteria. 2. Remove a small amount of gel with your clean finger or a sterile ear swab. 3. Apply the gel gently on the pest. 4. Ask the child to keep his mouth open for a few minutes to absorb the gel. 5. Usually these medicines should be used several times a day (3 to 4 times). ###
Important tips for using topical gels
- When putting the gel on the pest, be careful not to squeeze the wound or irritate it. - These gels are for topical use and should not be swallowed. If the child accidentally swallows the gel, usually there will be no problem, but it is better to avoid swallowing the gel as much as possible. - Due to the greater sensitivity of children, the amount of gel used should be small and accurate. - To avoid overdose, be sure to use the gel according to the doctor's prescription or the product label. - After putting the gel on the sore mouth, for at least 30 minutes, prevent the child from eating and drinking. This helps to absorb the gel better. - If your child is less than 2 years old, be sure to consult a pediatric dentist before using these products. - If the child is allergic to anesthetics (such as lidocaine or benzocaine) or has an allergic reaction, stop using it and consult a doctor immediately.
When should we go to the doctor for quick treatment of mouth sores in children?
If your child regularly suffers from mouth sores or if the wounds take more than 10 days to heal and the sores are large, deep and very painful, you should see a doctor for quick treatment of children's mouth sores. Also, in case of high fever, unusual lethargy, presence of blood in urine or stool, child's refusal to eat and drink, abnormal weight loss and other lesions in other parts of the body, it is necessary to see a specialist doctor or pediatric dentist. **Treatment of mouth sores in infants** must be under the supervision of a doctor. In babies, any mouth sores that last for more than a few days should be checked by a doctor to diagnose the underlying cause and take a more appropriate treatment.