I am 29 and have suffered since I was little. I get them once a month if I do not take preventative measures. The good bacteria found in natural yogurt is what works for me. My mother used to make it homemade, because it worked so well. Later we found, acidophilus capsules. This is the good bacteria in a little pill. Works wonders.
When I have an outbreak, I use Anbesol, this is what is used on baby gums when they are teething. It hurts for 1 millisecond, but helps to numb the area.
By RNH from New Brunswick, Canada
I have a couple of tips that no one has mentioned yet. You can get rid of strep using natural remedies. We have done it use natural antibiotics with no side affects as with antibiotics. Next the best thing we have found for canker sores is colloidal silver. It is a natural antibiotic and should not be taken for more then 10 days. Hold it in your mouth for as along as you can and then swallow. Do several times a day. This will also boost your immune system. Hope you get relief. (01/14/2008)
By Becki from MO
Too much sugar candy can cause canker sores. I take a Q-tip, wet it, dip into baking soda and put onto canker sore and hold it there. The Q-tip helps to keep it in one spot, the soda helps neutralize the acid in the sore. Smarts something nasty, but works wonders to clear it up. (01/14/2008)
By Michawn
My son's dentist said to avoid oranges and orange juice when you feel one coming on or have one. I used a Listerine strip on a canker sore and it made it numb and heal faster than anything I've tried. (01/14/2008)
By awanawr
As Elizabeth says take 500mg Lysine every day. I used to get them every few weeks. Lysine is an amino acid that gets depleted from the body. You must take it every day. If one should start, take 500mg twice a day. They are so painful you can't eat much of anything you're so afraid of getting food near it.
Juanita from Homewood, IL (01/14/2008)
By Juanita
I've read a lot or remedies, but only a few posts discuss causes and preventions.
No one in my family can take vitamin C supplements, and we are all very sensitive to citrus, tomatoes, pickles, margaritas, and peppermint candy. My problems with mouth ulcers stopped once I realized that I broke out only after eating oranges, mangoes, grapefruit, pineapple, etc.
Another major problem is flavored toothpastes, especially spearmint flavors and the Scope type of pastes. I switched to plain unflavored Crest and my gums immediately stopped bleeding. I eat acidic food in extreme moderation. For example, if I eat an orange, I definitely avoid tomatoes on my sandwich. I ate chili for dinner last night and again for lunch today, and now my mouth is sore. The tomatoes and that darned margarita got me again. (01/15/2008)
By Linda
I have been a canker sore sufferer for most of my life and it has only been in the last few years that I've found anything that really works for me. Mainstream medical science doesn't pay much attention to cankers. Most doctor's I've encountered say, "it's nothing to worry about, just wait a week or two". Easy for them to say.
For me, taking B-vitamin supplements and swishing with Listerine help the most. This definitely reduces the intensity and duration of the sores I get.
Also, my anecdotal experience is that prescription antibiotics work really well. A few years ago I had a sinus infection and the doctor prescribed some type of antibiotic. It just so happened that I had a bad canker sore on the inside of my lower lip at the same time. That canker healed faster and with less pain than any other significant canker I've ever had. Also, the cycle of healing was much different. The canker just skipped several of the phases they normally go through during the healing process. (01/26/2008)
By Michael
For all of you that can not take vitamin C; try Ester C which is Calcium Ascorbate and non-acidic. The most common vitamin C is Ascorbic Acid which for some can cause irritation. (01/29/2008)
By David
To kill the pain immediately and help clear it up, get some Pepto or Maalox and use a Q-tip to dab it on the ulcer. It feels better instantly and helps the sore heal. Also, tea bags and salt help, but they may hurt. (02/04/2008)
By Kendra
The trick is to use Canker Cover, I bought them at Walgreen's. It is a little hard to apply, but leaves a gel substance within 30 minutes. They advertise that it usually only takes one treatment. We will see. (03/11/2008)
Homeopathic remedies can ease the pain of canker sores, reduce inflammation, and help the tissues heal.
Arsenicum album: A person who breaks out in burning, painful mouth sores, and also feels anxious and tired, is likely to benefit from this remedy. Hot drinks often ease the pain, and the person feels best when keeping warm. They often have unhealthy, easily-bleeding gums, and tend to be extremely neat and tense. Arsenicum album is recommended when the mouth is dry and burning, and the ulcers are soothed by warm water. Restlessness and anxiety are felt. Often caused by stress and worry.
Borax: This remedy is often helpful when canker sores feel hot and sensitive. Sores may break out on the inside of the cheeks, on the gums, and on the tongue. Produces profuse saliva, yet still feels dry inside the mouth. Other indications are: sensitive to noise, suffers from motion sickness, bleeding ulcers when touched, and hot and tender mouth.
Calcarea carbonica: This remedy is often indicated for infants and small children who suffer from recurrent canker sores. Other indications are: head-sweats during sleep, and slow to teethe or learn to walk. May also aid with canker sores in adults who are chilly, stout, and easily fatigued.
Hepar sulphuris calcareum: This remedy may be indicated when a person develops painful mouth sores that become infected-with pus formation, extreme sensitivity, and aggravation from cold drinks. Often feels extremely chilly, vulnerable, and oversensitive.
Mercurius solubilis: This remedy is useful when bleeding gums, a swollen coated tongue, and offensive breath are seen along with canker sores. The sores feel worse at night, and salivation is profuse, with drooling during sleep. The person tends to sweat at night and is very sensitive to any change in temperature.
Natrum muriaticum: Pearly sores that erupt inside the mouth, especially on the gums or tongue, may respond to this remedy. The mouth feels dry, and the tongue may have a tingling feeling. Often troubled by cold sores around the corners of the mouth or chin, and have chapped or cracking lips. A craving for salt, strong thirst, and a tendency to feel worse from being in the sun are other indications for Natrum muriaticum.
Nux vomica: A person who needs this remedy may break out in canker sores after overindulging in sweets, strong spicy foods, stimulants, or alcoholic beverages. The person may have swollen gums, a coated tongue, and bloody salivation. Irritability, impatience, and a general chilliness are often seen.
Sulphur: For sores that are painful, red and inflamed, with burning pain that is worse from warm drinks and aggravated by heat of any kind. The mouth may have a bitter taste; the gums can be swollen and throbbing. Reddish lips and mucous membranes, and a tendency toward itching and skin irritations are other indications.
Dosage: Follow the label directions. Take one dose and wait for a response. If improvement is seen, continue to wait and let the remedy work. The frequency of dosage varies with the condition and the individual. (03/26/2008)
By Name13013
Last time I got cankers and there were 3, 2 top and 1 bottom, I couldn't eat well. Here in the Philippines somebody told me to use "Tawas" this is a mineral, good thing, it is very cheap, available in the streets. Just break a small piece and put it in your mouth and rub it on the affected area and rinse your mouth, after 2 days it will disappear.
(08/29/2008)
By Rey
I tried putting salt directly on them and that hurt very bad, so I would say rinse with hot saltwater. My grandma used to tell me to do that, and it usually worked. (01/03/2009)
By Steph
I drink pure green tea with no sugar (Ito En, to be specific), and it really cuts the pain and seems to speed up the healing process. I also just avoid super-sugary stuff in general to try and keep the mouth as clean as possible so it can heal faster. And finally, mouthrinse (the antiseptic, not mouthwash) is key, since it will kill bacteria and numbs the sore it a bit. (02/24/2009)
By Sara
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