How to get rid of a canker sore

Most canker sores heal in 1–2 weeks; topical steroids or numbing gels speed relief. A provider can review recurring sores online — B12/iron deficiency is a common trigger.

Also called: mouth ulcer · canker sore treatment · aphthous ulcer

Medically reviewed by Dr. Ikechukwu Ogbu, MD
MD · Board-Certified, Internal Medicine · Last reviewed

Seek urgent care or the ER if you have:

  • Symptoms that are sudden, severe, or rapidly worsening
  • High fever (over 103°F / 39.4°C) that doesn't respond to treatment
  • Chest pain, trouble breathing, fainting, or confusion
  • Signs of dehydration — dizziness, dark urine, unable to keep fluids down
  • Symptoms in someone who is pregnant, immunocompromised, or over 65

What how to get rid of a canker sore could be

The most common causes a clinician considers. This isn't a diagnosis — it's the differential a provider works through with you.

Cold sores

Commonly relevant when someone is researching "how to get rid of a canker sore" — worth reviewing with a clinician who knows your history.

Typical workup

What a clinician usually orders or asks about when someone presents with how to get rid of a canker sore.

  • Focused history: timing, triggers, severity, and prior treatments related to "how to get rid of a canker sore"
  • Targeted physical exam of the involved system
  • Rule-in / rule-out workup for the most likely causes: Cold sores
  • Baseline labs when relevant (CBC, CMP, TSH, vitamin D, lipid panel) to personalize the plan

When to see a clinician

  • You have an underlying condition (heart, kidney, liver, thyroid, pregnancy) that could interact with the plan
  • You're already on prescription medications and want to check for interactions
  • Symptoms are affecting sleep, work, or daily life and haven't improved with lifestyle changes
  • You want personalized guidance based on labs rather than generic advice

Conditions this often points to

Common questions