GEELONG paediatrician Dr Bernie Jenner has a tip for reducing the pain and severity of mouth ulcers, whether they are aphthous, or secondary to trauma such as biting the tongue or buccal mucosa.

Patients dip a cotton bud into ear drops containing dexamethasone (Sofradex/Otodex) and paint the ulcer twice daily. He has seen this work wonders, and the clinical trial evidence for topical corticosteroid use is supportive (see American Academy of Oral Medicine summary). The dose is a tiny fraction of a mL.    

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