 The first line therapy for aphthous stomatitis is topical agents rather than systemic medication , with topical corticosteroids being the mainstay treatment . Systemic treatment is usually reserved for severe disease due to the risk of adverse side effects associated with many of these agents . The application of glycerin , along with Alchemilla vulgaris , has also been shown to effective in treating aphthous stomatitis . A systematic review found that no single systemic intervention was found to be effective . Good oral hygiene is important to prevent secondary infection of the ulcers . 
