# I cured my canker sores! **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [June 25, 2002, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cured-my-canker-sores/115940 "2002-06-25T21:21:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Strainger](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/strainger/32/244_2.png) [@Strainger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Strainger)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2002, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cured-my-canker-sores/115940/1 "2002-06-25T21:21:23Z")
How? Where are you? Where did you go? ---
**Author:** ![MrVisible](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/46a35a/32.png) [@MrVisible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrVisible)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2002, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cured-my-canker-sores/115940/2 "2002-06-25T22:47:20Z")
I’m sorry, but self-immolation seems like an overly drastic solution to the problem. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2002, 5:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cured-my-canker-sores/115940/3 "2002-06-26T05:15:33Z")
In case anyone is interested, there is no real cure for canker sores. There is a way that many chronic sufferers can reduce the occurance of them though. Almost all tooth pastes contain a substance called sodium laurel sulfate (SLS.) SLS is foaming agent also commonly found in shampoos. Double blind studies have shown that switching to a toothpaste that is SLS free will reduce the frequency of outbreaks in most people. For my money, the best tasting SLS free tooth paste is made by [Rembrandt.](http://store.yahoo.com/rembrandt-toothpaste/cansorprod.html) Haj ---
**Author:** ![Coldfire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a587f6/32.png) [@Coldfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coldfire)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2002, 9:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cured-my-canker-sores/115940/4 "2002-06-26T09:59:09Z")
:eek: Toothpaste called **Rembrandt**?? _“Hello, Prime Minister Kok? It’s Coldfire here. I think it’s time to strike! I say, roll out those 12 tanks and 6 F16’s. We’re attacking the US!”_ 😉 ---
**Author:** ![teela\_brown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/d9b06d/32.png) [@teela\_brown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/teela_brown)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2002, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cured-my-canker-sores/115940/5 "2002-06-26T14:34:54Z")
Hey! What happened to my post? It was there yesterday! To sum up: I’ve had canker sores since I was a kid. I’ve seen several threads here on the board since I joined up, each containing several remedies. None worked, nor did any of the various preparations prescribed to me by doctors and dentists throughout the years. Recently, I was prescribed Claritin for hives. About a week after starting to take it, my canker sores disappeared. I thought it might be a fluke, but I ran out of Claritin for about a week, and after three days without it, the canker sores returned. Back on Claritin now, and the sores are gone. For the first time in forty years, I am canker-sore-free. Yaaaaaayyy!!! ---
**Author:** ![papergirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/aca169/32.png) [@papergirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/papergirl)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2002, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cured-my-canker-sores/115940/6 "2002-06-26T15:14:31Z")
I’m so happy for you, **pugluvr**. My older kids have terrible canker sores, and the younger one just started Claritin for allergies. I’ll be thrilled beyond words if this helps. Elderpoet has a terrible time with them…he is a trombone and tuba player, and gets the worse canker sores I’ve ever seen–can’t eat, loses weight, etc. Awful things. Thanks for mentioning this! ~karol ---
**Author:** ![Umbriel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/9de053/32.png) [@Umbriel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Umbriel)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2002, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cured-my-canker-sores/115940/7 "2002-06-26T15:41:34Z")
I mentioned my own canker sore problem to my doctor a couple years ago, and he recommended taking a lysine supplement (found on most well-stocked vitamin shelves). Taking it daily has greatly reduced my outbreaks. If I miss a few days, or get a particularly insistant sore anyway, I’ll sometimes double up dosage to beat them back. The explanation my doctor offerred was that the lysine somehow interfered with the replication of the virus responsible for the sores. Leave it behind when visiting Jurassic Park, though… I take Claritin for allergies, but never noticed it as having any effect on canker sores. If it works for you folks, congratulations. I do find, however, that Claritin is so drying that I get bleeding cracks on my fingers if I take it for an extended period. I’ll keep the SLS issue in mind, though I’ve tried samples of Rembrandt (sorry for mentioning it again, Coldfire), and have found it insufficiently fluid for a toothpaste – it tends to crumble and fall off the brush. You know… this could be my first “support group”. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![papergirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/aca169/32.png) [@papergirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/papergirl)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2002, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cured-my-canker-sores/115940/8 "2002-06-26T15:46:01Z")
I’m so happy for you, **pugluvr**. My older kids have terrible canker sores, and the younger one just started Claritin for allergies. I’ll be thrilled beyond words if this helps. Elderpoet has a terrible time with them…he is a trombone and tuba player, and gets the worse canker sores I’ve ever seen–can’t eat, loses weight, etc. Awful things. Thanks for mentioning this! ~karol ---
**Author:** ![papergirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/aca169/32.png) [@papergirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/papergirl)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2002, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cured-my-canker-sores/115940/9 "2002-06-26T15:56:55Z")
I’m so happy for you, **pugluvr**. My older kids have terrible canker sores, and the younger one just started Claritin for allergies. I’ll be thrilled beyond words if this helps. Elderpoet has a terrible time with them…he is a trombone and tuba player, and gets the worse canker sores I’ve ever seen–can’t eat, loses weight, etc. Awful things. Thanks for mentioning this! ~karol ---
**Author:** ![Esprix](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/esprix/32/7899_2.png) [@Esprix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Esprix)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2002, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cured-my-canker-sores/115940/10 "2002-06-26T16:37:25Z")
I also have a problem with kanker sores. L-Lysine didn’t work for me, and I use Metadent for its hydrogen peroxide (it seems to help a little, but not much). Since I have no allergies, Claratin isn’t really an option for me. What works best for me is living a stress-free life. 😃 Esprix ---
**Author:** ![teela\_brown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/d9b06d/32.png) [@teela\_brown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/teela_brown)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2002, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cured-my-canker-sores/115940/11 "2002-06-26T17:41:23Z")
**hajario** , I heard about the toothpaste thing, too. I tried a non-SLS toothpaste for awhile and got a slight reduction in sores, but it was temporary. **Coldfire** – what next, Van Gogh ear swabs? Vermeer ointment for athlete’s foot? Deodorant – “If you want to feel surer, next time try Durer!” **Umbriel** , had I not found that Claritin virtually eliminated my sores, I’d be trying the lysine next. Hey, Mr. Pug takes Claritin all the time for hay fever, and is plagued with cracks on his fingertips, but never knew what caused them. Whaddaya know? I’m going to forward this factoid on to him. ---
**Author:** ![CRorex](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dfb087/32.png) [@CRorex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CRorex)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2002, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cured-my-canker-sores/115940/12 "2002-06-26T21:42:57Z")
Umm guys… caker sores are caused by a fairly interesting herpes virus strain. Just get a prescription for that drug that prevents genital herpes outbreaks… (can’t remember the name) Its the same type of virus and it works nicely Just take it when you feel like one is going to form (usually you have 2 or 3 days of warning before it gets all painful) the antiviral drug will keep the sores from forming. ---
**Author:** ![CRorex](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dfb087/32.png) [@CRorex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CRorex)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2002, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cured-my-canker-sores/115940/13 "2002-06-26T21:47:48Z")
I’m suprised that an antihistamine helped the canker sores… After all its basically an immunosuppresent, which to me would say it would increase the frequency of canker sores… I know I used to get worse ones when I was on allergy medication. As for the toothpaste thing… I could see that helping, IF SLS irritated your gums or mouth… irritated/damaged cells generally allow for greater easy of infection. But I’d try out the actually drug designed to prevent the viral sores from developing. ---
**Author:** ![Esprix](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/esprix/32/7899_2.png) [@Esprix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Esprix)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2002, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cured-my-canker-sores/115940/14 "2002-06-26T22:03:36Z")
Damn chicken pox… ☹ Esprix ---
**Author:** ![Wearia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/13edae/32.png) [@Wearia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wearia)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2002, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cured-my-canker-sores/115940/15 "2002-06-27T00:22:36Z")
I’ve recently discover (on me at least) extra strength halls help. It reduces there lifespan to 2 or 3 days. Or opening your mouth and drying them out for a while. Aren’t cankers ulcers? That what I thought…? Wearia ---
**Author:** ![Wearia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/13edae/32.png) [@Wearia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wearia)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2002, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cured-my-canker-sores/115940/16 "2002-06-27T00:25:30Z")
**Thats** 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Bumbazine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bumbazine/32/362_2.png) [@Bumbazine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bumbazine)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2002, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cured-my-canker-sores/115940/17 "2002-06-27T02:22:55Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by CRorex \* > \*\* > caker sores are caused by a fairly interesting herpes virus strain. > \*\* I think you’re confusing canker sore with cold sores, **CRorex**. _Cold sores_ are caused by a herpes simplex virus, _canker sores_ are believed to be caused by “an altered local immune response associated with stress, trauma, or local irritants” (from this site: [http://www.sinuscarecenter.com/fevblaao.html](http://www.sinuscarecenter.com/fevblaao.html) ) also see this site: [http://www.animated-teeth.com/canker\_sores/t1\_canker\_sores.htm](http://www.animated-teeth.com/canker_sores/t1_canker_sores.htm) My wife has suffered terribly from these little horrors for the last couple of years. We will try the Claritin **Pugluvr** , and thanks. I’m glad it worked for you. Let’s hope we’ll be as lucky. ---
**Author:** ![rowrrbazzle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rowrrbazzle/32/414_2.png) [@rowrrbazzle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rowrrbazzle)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2002, 4:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cured-my-canker-sores/115940/18 "2002-06-27T04:50:37Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by pugluvr \* > **Coldfire** – what next, Van Gogh ear swabs? Vermeer ointment for athlete’s foot? Deodorant – “If you want to feel surer, next time try Durer!” Hellish burning pains down there? Try _Preparation H. Bosch_ for fast hemorrhoid relief! Named for the man who understood those pains, used by the people who suffer from them. Embarrassed to ask for it at your local pharmacy? We understand. Order by mail or our web site to remain Hieronymus. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2002, 12:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cured-my-canker-sores/115940/19 "2002-06-27T12:59:55Z")
I had 8 wisdom teeth out, and get HUGE canker sores at the sites. Nothing stops them, but when I get them, I wet an asprin, put it on the sore, suffer 10 minutes of unbelieable pain while the canker sore is burned off, then it’s gone. I’ve recommended this to several people, some who praise me and some who curse me. ---
**Author:** ![Umbriel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/9de053/32.png) [@Umbriel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Umbriel)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2002, 1:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cured-my-canker-sores/115940/20 "2002-06-27T13:30:07Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Annie-Xmas \* > \*\*I had 8 wisdom teeth out, and get HUGE canker sores at the sites. Nothing stops them, but when I get them, I wet an asprin, put it on the sore, suffer 10 minutes of unbelieable pain while the canker sore is burned off, then it’s gone. I’ve recommended this to several people, some who praise me and some who curse me. \*\* Holding a wet teabag on the sore is a milder version of the above cure (tannic acid rather than salacylic). Drawbacks include stained teeth and the difficulty of holding the bag in the right place depending on where the sore is. I’ve found it only marginally effective, but have used it on particularly annoying ones. I may give Annie-Xmas’ remedy a try next time I need a last resort, but folks with lower pain tolerances might want to give the bag a shot. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cured-my-canker-sores/115940.md?page=2)