What can I do to stop getting canker sores?

Factual Questions
21

I read years ago that a deficiency in B vitamins (B12 I believe) can result in frequent canker sores. Maybe take a vitamin supplement if all else fails

22

My physician recommended taking a Lysene supplement (this is apparently recommended for cold sores as well), saying that it would interfere with the replication of the virus responsible. I’ve used it (1000-1500mg/day), and it does seem to reduce the incidence.

Near as I can tell, a canker sore is a cooperative venture between a herpes-type virus (which causes the lesion, often triggered by a minor injury) and a bacterial infection (which inhibits healing, and seems to cause most of the pain). Supression of the immune system (by stress, sleep deprivation, etc.) promotes them.

I’ve found that treatment of them best concentrates on getting rid of the bacterial infection, usually by scouring the inside of the sore with a peroxide covered swab. Holding a moist teabag against the sore for several minutes also seems to help eliminate them quickly (the tannic acid, presumably). The chief downside to this is the stains on your teeth, as well as the awkward location of some sores. If you can’t keep your mouth closed during the process, you’ll drool continuously.

23

I switched toothpastes and now only get maybe one a year - used to get them all the time. I don’t know which ingredient it is, but I use non SLS toothpastes and they do the trick - I’ve used Rembrandt canker sore formula, but had a problem and my dentist told me to avoid anything with whiteners. I use Biotene now, works great.

24

reading this thread with most of the advice on treating… i would go the prevention route. my .02 is alkalinize your diet. google acid foods and alkaline foods and follow up by eating an alkaline diet. it’s the acid that causes the canker sores.

25

You guys are all awesome :slight_smile:

26

I find that when I’ve got one, just brushing my teeth more frequently during the day helps to get rid of it.

27

This stuff cured me. I almost never get them anymore and when I do they’re not that bad.

28

I think it is orabase. I’ve just used the over-the-counter one. The canker sore patch looks like it would work, too.

29

Also: avoid cinnamon and cinnamon flavoring, including candy.

30

Prevailing medical opinion is that Apthous mouth ulcers are NOT caused by viral or bacterial infection. Herpes stomatitis is a different animal.

Any mouth ulcer lasting longer than 3 weeks needs to be seen by a doctor for possible biopsy.

31

I’d guess that this is why, back when I used to get canker sores, they’d clear up if I applied baking soda directly to the sore.

32

  1. Change toothpastes. I was hesitant to heed this advice for years. Then I finally got some Tom’s of Maine and that helped significantly.

  2. Switch to diet soda. I have no idea if this is your problem, but it was for me. I drank a LOT of pop. I don’t know if it was the sugar or acid (probably both) but switching to diet has helped enormously. FWIW, regular (not diet) fountain soda doesn’t seem to be as bad as bottled regular, which isn’t as bad as canned soda. Anyone know why that is? Anyone else experience similar?

  3. Pick up some Kanka from the pharmacy. It burns but it coats and numb the ulcer so you can eat. It doesn’t taste terrible either.

  4. Sleep on your back, or at least try to. My molars cut into my cheek when I lay on my stomach.

33

I used to get them all the time. I’d thought it was from too salty of chips. Now i get them rarely, but only when i have a cold or am under the weather.