What to do about painful canker sore in a 3yo?

[amberskyfire]

My 3.5 y/o has a very painful canker sore that's lasted about 3 days so far. Last night, I started rinsing it with sea salt water, but it still hurts all the time. She woke up crying last night and she won't eat anything or let me brush her teeth. I can see the sore when I rinse it and it looks small, but it's open and not infected, just very painful.

What can I do?

[ashleyamazi]

Does she take a chewable probiotic? You might have her start one, I've heard they help.  Will she suck on ice? Maybe the cold will help with the pain. That's all I can think of, good luck!!

[amberskyfire]

Thanks! I'll try those. We went to the store today and bought some Baby Orajel Naturals which is made from clove oil, it says. It seems to help a little.

[DaughterOfKali]

My son gets canker sores.  The only thing that makes it feel better for him is to put a smooth, warm wet cloth on it (he says cold stuff hurts it.)  

Be careful of salty foods... they really hurt canker sores!

[prancie]

Put an aspirin on it.  It will "cauterize" it and reduce the pain significantly.  It may not last, but I have cured some mouth sores this way, even a brief treatment will reduce pain. It does hurt, but not too much and it will be worth it.  

[LCBMAX]

Although it doesn't sound like chickenpox is an issue for the OP, just a reminder never to use aspirin internally (and topically on a mouth sore would be "internal") if there's a chance of a virus being present, especially varicella....
 

Originally Posted by prancie 

Put an aspirin on it.  It will "cauterize" it and reduce the pain significantly.  It may not last, but I have cured some mouth sores this way, even a brief treatment will reduce pain. It does hurt, but not too much and it will be worth it.