- Avoid any food that irritates your mouth
- Floss once every day and brush after meals
- Rinse with one of the following (do not swallow)
- Saltwater
- 1 teaspoon baking soda in ½ cup warm water
- ½ hydrogen peroxide, ½ water
- 1-part diphenhydramine with 1-part bismuth subsalicylate or 1-part simethicone
- Apply ice
- Apply baking soda paste or milk of magnesia
Over-the-counter medicines for pain (refer to manufacturer’s recommendations for dosage):
SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION IF
- Sores are unusually large or are spreading
- Sores last longer than 3 weeks
- Pain not controlled by over-the-counter medicines
- High fever
- Inability to eat or drink