# Need canker sore cure **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [November 14, 2000, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-canker-sore-cure/41089 "2000-11-14T00:27:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 15\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Eve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Eve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eve)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2000, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-canker-sore-cure/41089/21 "2000-11-14T15:34:10Z")
Msrobyn is right—kenalog in orabase, a prescription ointment, is the ONLY thing that will help clear up canker sores, in 1-2 days. ---
**Author:** ![c\_goat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f4b2a3/32.png) [@c\_goat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/c_goat)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2000, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-canker-sore-cure/41089/22 "2000-11-14T15:37:07Z")
I used this Orajel stuff once. It numbs it like anbesol would do but says it helps in the healing. The biggest problem I had was that I kept licking it off with my tongue and had to reapply it a lot. ---
**Author:** ![aramis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e68b1a/32.png) [@aramis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aramis)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2000, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-canker-sore-cure/41089/23 "2000-11-14T16:11:19Z")
Here’s a good link on the subject. [http://www.saveyoursmile.com/cankersorerelief/](http://www.saveyoursmile.com/cankersorerelief/) ---
**Author:** ![dzray](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f07891/32.png) [@dzray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dzray)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2000, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-canker-sore-cure/41089/24 "2000-11-14T16:30:13Z")
1. Eat a large bag of salted pretzels. 2. Carmex applied directly. (only works if you catch it early on, when the potential canker sore is barely noticable) 3. Arm & Hammer Peroxicare toothpaste. I don’t know if it contains SLS or not, but I can’t remember the last time I had a canker sore since I’ve been using it. (Almost a year) ---
**Author:** ![Poysyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Poysyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Poysyn)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2000, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-canker-sore-cure/41089/25 "2000-11-14T16:38:13Z")
I’ve found Tantum, (prescription mouthwash) helps. Also Lipactin (I think that’s what it’s called) drops. HURTS like HELL at first but numbs and covers the sore. ---
**Author:** ![ging](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bcef8e/32.png) [@ging](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ging)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2000, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-canker-sore-cure/41089/26 "2000-11-14T17:38:56Z")
One time I had an outbreak of about eight canker sores - luckily I worked for a pharmacist and he suggested eating yogurt - something about the bacteria. The truth is I’m not sure how well it worked because I was so desperate for relief that I tried everything. Ambesol, vitamin e, chloroseptic spray, etc. The trick with the yogurt is to keep a little bit of it on the canker sore so it could do its thing. I seem to recall that the yogurt was soothing and it was easy to eat (just stay away from rasberry yogurt - the seeds will kill you) ---
**Author:** ![barbitu8](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/839c29/32.png) [@barbitu8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/barbitu8)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2000, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-canker-sore-cure/41089/27 "2000-11-14T19:45:55Z")
Try Curasore. A small tube costs only a few dollars. The active ingredient is ether. It’s OTC, but you’ll have to ask the pharmacist for it, as it contains ether and they don’t put it on the shelves. I’ve had instant relief from cold sores (herpes virus) with it, and canker sores are caused by a related virus. ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2000, 3:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-canker-sore-cure/41089/28 "2000-11-15T03:51:54Z")
Canker sores, or “aphthous ulcers” occur in 20% of people and are tough bastards to treat. If any given ulcer does not heal in three weeks, they should be checked by a doctor to rule out rare malignancies. They can be caused by lots of stuff, herpesviruses being a common cause. If you are also having abdominal pain and bloating or bloody stools, see a doctor about Crohn’s disease. If you have braces or false teeth, the cause is usually obvious. If you can’t tolerate bran, oats, rice and wheat think Celiac disease. With arthritis, eye problems or genital ulcers conside Behcet’s syndrome. Chances are they are just canker sores. Hydrocortisone lozenges help. Patients getting chemotherapy get lots of ulcers and often get relief from amouthwash of tetracycline or chlorhexidene. When I get them, I get relief from an English antiseptic called TCP (trichlorophenol). Don’t know much about SLS or lysine. Can’t really see why adding an acid or an amino acid would be very helpful since the mucosa is already burned away. ---
**Author:** ![Danielinthewolvesden](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ce7236/32.png) [@Danielinthewolvesden](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Danielinthewolvesden)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2000, 9:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-canker-sore-cure/41089/29 "2000-11-15T09:19:12Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by ging \* > \*\*One time I had an outbreak of about eight canker sores - luckily I worked for a pharmacist and he suggested eating yogurt - something about the bacteria. > > \*\* Yes, as i said above, the acidolpholus and other freindly bacteria are great. They will do fine if just injested, tho, and the concentrated pills & liquids work faster. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2000, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-canker-sore-cure/41089/30 "2000-11-15T15:11:27Z")
A coworker suggested this, and it works for her. It also works for me when I bite my lip. Another coworker tried it, and she says it works. Dip a Q-tip in lemon juice, then roll it in salt. Apply it to the sore. It hurts. A lot. But it seems to clear up the sore by the next day. Besides, after the lemon juice and salt, the sore doesn’t seem so painful after all! I don’t know if it will work for you, but it has worked for other people. WAG: The acid and salt “kill” whatever is making the sore. BTW: I use Tom’s of Maine toothpaste. I like it. When I packed for my vacation (before I brushed my teeth), I had to use “regular” toothpaste. It was so sweet I almost gagged. Tom’s doesn’t have the artificial sweeteners like regular toothpaste, and you get used to the taste very quickly. It does a good job on my teeth too. I’m not a dentist, but Tom’s of Maine gets _my_ endorsement. ---
**Author:** ![barbitu8](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/839c29/32.png) [@barbitu8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/barbitu8)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2000, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-canker-sore-cure/41089/31 "2000-11-15T23:33:40Z")
I used to use hydrocortisone, as suggested by Dr. Paprika, and it worked great. But I’ll tell you one more time, and for the last time, and you can take it for what it’s worth: try Curasore. Even better than hydrocortisone, which actually is not a good idea and the books say that it’s contraindicated for cold sores; it’s an anti-inflammatory but slows the body’s defenses. ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2000, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-canker-sore-cure/41089/32 "2000-11-16T02:03:59Z")
Using a steroid for a long time can certainly suppress the immune system. Using a small dose in the mouth for a short period of time is okay, since the systemic dose is also small. Asthma meds like fluticasone don’t suppress teh immuine system. Your Curesore(?) may not be available here up in Upper Upper Mexico. ---
**Author:** ![tygre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c4cdca/32.png) [@tygre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tygre)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2000, 4:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-canker-sore-cure/41089/33 "2000-11-16T04:29:48Z")
I’ve just rubbed plain salt on them, and while it hurts like he\*\*, they clear up in 1-2 days after treatment. Anbesol and Orajel in my experience just numbed the area, tasted horrible, and prolonged the sore. If you have a huge canker sore that’s not going away, you might see if your dentist will cauterize it for you. –tygre ---
**Author:** ![Edward\_The\_Head](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ce73a5/32.png) [@Edward\_The\_Head](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Edward_The_Head)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2000, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-canker-sore-cure/41089/34 "2000-11-16T16:32:00Z")
I drink some OJ and let some of the OJ sit right on top of the sore. it hurts like HELL but it seems to get rid of them in a day or so. I usually do this once or twice a day and it seems to really help. gotta leave the OJ over the sore til it stops hurting. ---
**Author:** ![Wonko\_The\_Sane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/258eb7/32.png) [@Wonko\_The\_Sane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wonko_The_Sane)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2000, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-canker-sore-cure/41089/35 "2000-11-17T17:22:59Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by johnson \* > \*\*Stick a wet teabag on it for as long as you can stand it (30-60 minutes, sometimes twice). The tannic acid does the trick. You may look foolish, but it’s worth it. \*\* This reduces the pain for a while too. I have heard that buying the cheapest tea possible is best- more tannic acids or something. I usually do this at home, because I look rather odd with a teabag between my cheek and gum, but it’s worth it. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-canker-sore-cure/41089.md?page=1)