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Miss Thrifty20 July 6, 2009
Yes, I know that Bonjela tastes nice, but here’s a cheaper idea from Frugal Grandma. Speaking from personal experience, it works very well. I must warn you though: this is a very British cure that isn’t for the faint-hearted. It is – quite literally – upper lip-stiffening stuff.
Frugal Grandma says: If you are about to eat and dreading it because you have a painful mouth ulcer, do not despair… Put a dollop of salt on your finger and push it into the ulcer. This will hurt like billy-o for about six seconds, and then it will be completely numb. Ulcers so dislike this treatment that they often vamoose following it.
The salt burns horribly, but as the ulcer goes numb for several hours it’s a worthwhile payoff (just).
As you may guess, my grandmother takes no prisoners when it comes to oral hygiene. One of my fondest memories from childhood is of standing in the bathroom doorway, looking on with glee as she scrubbed my brother’s mouth out with soap. Never again did he swear in her presence.
Image credit: caitlinator.
20 Responses to “Get rid of mouth ulcers the thrifty way”
FB @ FabulouslyBroke.com says:
I DO THIS.
It hurts like a motha#$*@& but it at least gets them to go away quicker than if you let them simmer on their own.
My ulcers sometimes last for 2 weeks.. drives me mad.
July 6, 2009 at 2:10 am
apieceofwood says:
I do this as well.. it does hurt, but does the job…
July 9, 2009 at 8:50 am
Helen says:
I couldn’t quite bring myself to try this, after I had a horrendous break out of fifteen ulcers. However, I vaguely remembered a garlic cure and dutifully rubbed them with a clove of garlic I found in cupboard.
Voila! Next morning? Sayonara, ulcer!
Wonderful website, I can’t believe I didn’t find this before.
July 21, 2009 at 1:23 pm
@choco_v_b says:
Glad to see someone else in Yorkshire still uses the ye olde ulcer removal remedy.
This is something I do whenever I get one and you’re right, it hurts sooo much but it will do the job! I mentioned this ‘method’ to one of my friends once who now swears by it (as do I).
July 22, 2009 at 11:02 am
Moira says:
This works, but it hurts, lots … I’ve also used a more friendly version – dab it with gin! Seriously, gin or any other high alcohol spirit seems to work, it still hurts, just not as much and it tastes better. I have kept one miniature bottle of gin specifically for this [I was given it, so I hope that counts as frugal.] and for cold sores. Works a treat.
July 25, 2009 at 2:55 pm
Sie Y Y says:
Just take iron and zinc supplement, the ulcer will disappear within one or two days. Prolonged consumption will stop recurrence of ulcer.
July 28, 2009 at 7:43 pm
GinaBeth Rawls says:
I use an aspirin. Just put one aspirin on the ulcer and hold it there for as long as you can stand it. Let it dissolve if possible. This will numb the ulcer and it will be gone in no time!
September 6, 2009 at 5:36 am
Alex says:
Hey:) Im like 15, nearly 16 so not surprised i havent seen his method before. Well i id bout 20 minutes ago but after coming across it again i thought i’d try it right now. It hurts and stings so much but im noticing the swelling go down 😀 Ive been really ill all week then today a tiny ulcer in my mouth has swelled out to outside and across my bottom lip.. But after just doing tht method im noticing the difference 🙂 Thankyou.
September 30, 2009 at 8:05 pm
Connor says:
Granny knows best.
HURTS LIKE F!%K but makes it numb, thankyou
March 16, 2010 at 8:54 pm
admin says:
@Connor You are welcome 🙂
– Miss T.
March 28, 2010 at 2:54 pm
Hope says:
Omg this totally works.
Yeh, ok, it hurts like f%$k for a while but it worth it…..
…..kindof……
March 31, 2010 at 10:48 pm
umera hussain says:
Right guys! i have had an ulcer inside my bottom lip for nearly a year now (a year in June) and it just wont FUCK OFF! i am so sick of it! i cant even talk to people properly coz its so embarassing! im so frustrated and stressed about it! it went away twice 4 a week but came right back! i told the doctors 2 weeks ago and they told me to use bonjela and see the dentist! bonjela doesnt work 4 me at all! it makes it worse! i have popped the bastard about a 100times but it just wont go away! please help me someone! PLEASE
May 18, 2010 at 8:59 pm
L.burford says:
HURTS LIKE A B****
but it is amazing. i had 4 and i was in so much pain and i was just about to go on holiday put this on and they went by the next day!xx
February 4, 2011 at 9:26 pm
nicole16 says:
hey: i woke up the other morning with about 6 ulcers in my mouth, and they are so painful i want to cry, however i dont think iwould be able to put salt on them- the pain is kinda offputting- and was just wondeing if yo had any other less painful methods :S
thankyou 🙂
September 1, 2011 at 2:56 am
Mrs T & her Boys says:
The salt worked for my ulcer – and provided amusement for my eldest son (I had hoped for admiration but hey…).
Luckily I checked in my sons mouth before insisting he did the same for his troublesome ulcer as I discovered an inch long piece of the wire on his brace had embedded itself in his cheek. One brave moment, a torch and a pair of wire clippers later and he’s transformed back into the happy little chap we know and love.
Thanks for the advice! 🙂
November 29, 2011 at 9:00 pm
Crus yorkx says:
Im sorry but this doesnt work. I tried it and my ulcers just got bigger and more painful… Yes it does hurt like a bitch but it doesnt solve the problem. 🙁 any other tips?
December 21, 2011 at 12:43 am
mike says:
hi all salt does not work the way you all think it just dries them out just so it can come back again and again
December 22, 2011 at 9:39 pm
Remz says:
Staright White rum also works too? I couldn’t eat I was in so much pain got a cotton bud dipped it in rumbrella rubbed the ulcer and it was numb I could eat normal again
December 3, 2016 at 9:26 pm
Miss Thrifty says:
Thanks Remz – that’s good to know. I presume vodka would work similarly well?
December 12, 2016 at 3:18 pm
Kendra says:
Aspirin works every time. Crush it up and put it on the affected area. Salt numbs it for a tad and the makes it super red and move painful after the numbness goes away.. so I stick to aspirin for sure.
May 17, 2017 at 7:10 pm