Canker Sore in Mouth

I have had repeated bouts with canker sores, for many years. The information I received from my DR., and has actually worked is taking an iron supplement. Apparently one of the side affects of low iron is mouth ulcers. so, hopefully that will help, good luck.

I am a dentist and I too get canker sores frequently. Unfortunately, you can't make them go away any faster. It typically takes two weeks for any mouth sores to heal completely. You should try Peroxyl rinse by Colgate. After eating, brush and then use the rinse. It feels good and helps keep the area clean. Also, there is a paste called Orabase that you can apply that numbs the area a little. If you get them often you should try a Lysine supplement.

There is a prescription called Xovorax that REALLY helps. I deal with these about once a month...good luck!

Canker sores are small shallow ulcers that appear in the mouth and often make eating and talking uncomfortable. There are two types of canker sores:

Simple canker sores. These may appear three or four times a year and last up to a week. They typically occur in people between 10 and 20 years of age.

Complex canker sores. These are less common and occur more often in people who have previously had them.
What Causes Canker Sores?
The exact cause of most canker sores is unknown. Stress or tissue injury is thought to be the cause of simple canker sores. Certain foods – including citrus or acidic fruits and vegetables (such as lemons, oranges, pineapples, apples, figs, tomatoes, strawberries) – can trigger a canker sore or make the problem worse. Use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, like Motrin, is another common cause. Sometimes a sharp tooth surface or dental appliance, such as braces or ill-fitting dentures, might also trigger canker sores.

Some cases of complex canker sores are caused by an underlying health condition, such as an impaired immune system; nutritional problems, such as vitamin B-12, zinc, folic acid, or iron deficiency; and gastrointestinal tract disease, such as Celiac disease and Crohn's disease.

Are Cold Sores Another Name for Canker Sores?
No, although these sores are often confused for each other, they are not the same. Cold sores, also called a fever blister or herpes simplex type 1, are groups of painful, fluid-filled blisters. Unlike canker sores, cold sores are caused by a virus and are extremely contagious. Also, cold sores typically appear outside the mouth – usually, under the nose, around the lips, or under the chin while canker sores occur inside the mouth.

What Are the Symptoms of Canker Sores?
You may have a canker sore if you have:

A painful sore or sores inside your mouth – on the tongue, soft palate (the back portion of the roof of your mouth), or inside your cheeks
A tingling or burning sensation prior to the appearance of the sores
Sores in your mouth that are round, white, or gray in color, with a red edge or border
In severe attacks, you may also experience:

Fever
Physical sluggishness
Swollen lymph nodes
How Are Canker Sores Treated?
Pain from a canker sore generally lessens in a few days and the sores usually heal without treatment in about a week or two.

If sores are large, painful, or persistent, your dentist may prescribe an antimicrobial mouth rinse, a corticosteroid ointment, or a prescription or nonprescription solution to reduce the pain and irritation.

Can Canker Sores Be Prevented?
Although there is no cure for canker sores and they often reoccur, you may be able to reduce their frequency by:

Avoiding foods that irritate your mouth – including acidic or spicy foods
Avoiding irritation from gum chewing
Brushing with a soft-bristled brush after meals and flossing daily, which will keep your mouth free of foods that might trigger a sore.
You should call your dentist if you have:

Unusually large sores
Sores that are spreading
Sores that last 3 weeks or longer
Intolerable pain despite avoiding trigger foods and taking over-the-counter pain medication
Difficulty drinking enough fluids
A high fever with the appearance of the canker sore(s)

Reviewed by the doctors at The Cleveland Clinic Department of Dentistry.

I used to suffer horribly with canker sores my whole life. Do you get these a lot or just this one? I have literally tried EVERY treatment imaginable and I found a really easy and natural treatment a couple of years ago that works like a charm. The first sign of the canker sore, take a vitamin E capsule and bite off the tip. squeeze out some of the vitamin e oil and apply it to the sore directly. You can use a q-tip of you don't want to use your finger. I ususally do this at night right before bed and by the morning, the sore is on it's way out and doesn't hurt at all. The trick with this rememdy is to apply the vitamin e within the first 24 hours of the sore. If you already have a full-blown sore, this might not work as well. I'm sure you got some great suggestions from others. Keep this in mind if this ever happens again. I can't recommend this treatment enough.

-B. S.
mom to twin boys (almost 2) and married 11 years today!

I get them often and finally found a great cure. 1/2 maalox and 1/2 hydrogen peroxide. Apply with a q-tip a couple times a day and it really makes mine go away fast.

I've suffered with canker sores my whole life as has my dad and sister. In the worst period I would get one within hours of any stressful situation and they came in multiples (including locations such as tongue and soft tissue). Once around they would last for weeks at a time so for awhile there wasn't much time I din't have one present. I've talked with my doctor and dentist and most have not had any long term solutions.

I completely agree with the toothpaste that doesn't have sodium lauryl sulfate (it's an inactive ingredient). I never found a Tom's version that didn't contain this ingredient. There are a few Rembrandts (they actually had one for canker sores) and a couple of the sensodynes that don't have this ingredient. Its the component that makes the toothpaste foam more.
Another thing that helps once the canker sore has been around and it was Zilactin-B. I could only use at night since its kind of gross and doesn't stay on when you eat. Otherwise, I've tried all the rinses, salt, camphor stuff and found they just helped by causing pain that released natural endorphins. Good luck.

I feel your pain! I get canker sores all the time and the best things that help me are:
1. eat yogurt-the bacteria helps heal
2. swish with listerine (the antiseptic cleans and heals sore)
3. dab sore with peroxide
I use all three of these together and what used to take a week to heal on its own with oragel type applications takes maybe 3 days to heal.
Good Luck!

I used to get them as a child, now I get cold sores. For the cankers, I used Baking Soda paste. (a little baking soda and a drop of water) at bed and in the morning, usually within about 2 days it was going away and the pain was gone. For the cold sore I use Lysine it is with the chap sticks at any drugstore. It is WONDERFUL!!! When I start to feel the tingle (you always get when they are coming) I start putting it on... the sores went from 7-10 days to either not getting them at all to 1-2 days.

My dentist long ago recommended Zylactin for my canker sores. It's an older over-the-counter product. I've heard Abreva, a newer OTC product works really well too but is more expensive. Also, Zovirax, a prescription medication, works, but I've found it doesn't stick to the inside of my mouth as well as Zylactin. Salt water or peroxide gargles help too. Canker sores are usually caused by the herpes virus. Almost everyone in my family gets canker sores.

I agree with the poster who said Glyoxide...it is available at most major drug stores and Wal-mart, etc. Also, my Orthodontist recommends Kanka, it is made by Blistex Co. It is used to treat canker sores and mouth irritations due to braces. (Yes, i'm 35 yrs. old, and in braces right alongside my 13 yr old!!!). It coats the sore(s), and anesthesizes (numbs) it! The coating helps to keep the sore protected from further irritation. I hope you get some relief soon!

Rinse your mouth with hydrogen peroxide and water, equal amounts and spit it out.That should clear them right up.

I am a huge fan of Glyoxide. It is over the counter and works like a charm. It comes in a small white bottle like container with a blue cap.
It pretty much gets rid of canker sores within a day.
Good luck!
P.

a good old fashion solution, not expensive, either~~ either put hydrogen peroxide on a q-tip and touch it to the area a few times a day or swish with a solution of 1/2 water and 1/2 peroxide. i just got rid of a pesky one that way. only took a couple of days. it helps get rid of the frustrating pain, too! don't swallow the stuff, though... rinse right afterwards. you'll be smiling and not wincing in no time! good luck and a fellow mom (((hug))) for empathy!! :-)

try rinsing with salt water. put 1 tablespoon coarse kosher salt into 1 1/2 cups warm water. rinse/gargle with this solution. after rinsing don't put anything in your mouth for a few minutes. finish by rinsing with plain water.

Hold an uncoated aspirin against the sore for 30 seconds or so. This will dry and pucker it up and it is my only relief. If you only have coated aspirin, you have to wait more for the coating to dissolve. Do not over do it or you'll just make a big pit sore though.

Try Canker Cover. It is sold at CVS and Wal Mart. Use it before you go to bed. Works really well. Good luck.

Old time remedy - Alum - try drug store.

If you get them frequently, consult your doctor.

I've had canker sores ever since I can remember. I started using Tom's natural toothpaste (with floride) about two years ago, and haven't had one since. I'm convinced that there is so much sugar in regular toothpaste, which sits on your teeth and in your mouth overnight after you brush, leading to the canker sores. It's worth a try, and natural!

My advice is to seek a dr's opinion. Sores that don't heal in the mouth aren't something you want to ignore or mess around with...

I am not sure on how long it has been there, but don't wait too long.

I put a little alum (a pickling spice) or an oriental powder called Watermelon Frost on the canker sore in my mouth and either of those get rid of the canker sore fast. I was told that if you have sores like that in your mouth, you may also have them throughout your gut tube. If they are recurring, it was recommended to me to cut out caffeine, get more rest, take l-lysine, a probiotic, and/or B vitamins. good luck!

You may not like the taste of this but it is the most natural and effective remedy for getting rid of canker sores in the mouth - straight glycerin without anything else in it. You can pick some up at a pharmacy section or CVS probably. It is safe and very helpful! I know its not fun. Also, cut ALL sweets, chocolate, fermented foods, dairy, coffee and wheat until it goes away. You will allow it to heal a lot quicker. Sugar and fermentation is very commonly a trigger for the result of these sores. Also, stress is a biggy so get some rest and relax a bit.

If you take L-Lysine it will prevent and heal them faster!

Hello,

My daughter who is 8 has been getting them all her life. I also suffer from the cold sores. When she gets a canker sore it is a least two at a time in her mouth. We started doing some research and found out that sodium lauryl sulfate or SLS that is in our tooth paste could be the cause or irritating those sores. So we are now using a a sodium lauryl sulfate free tooth paste. There are not many on the market because many do not contain fluoride. There is one and it is called Tom's of Main which you should be able to pick up at CVS or Wal Greens. We also have started to take L-lysine to reduce to reacurance of these little nasty things. Here is a link to the Tom's tooth paste so you can read more about it

http://www.tomsofmaine.com/toms/product.asp?dept_id=450&a...

I also provided a link that goes more in detail about SLS and tootpaste and canker sores.

http://www.oramd.com/canker-sore-toothpaste.htm

Good luck!!!

Vineagar actually kills bacteria in the mouth and throat. I use this for my kids when they have sore throats and I think I've heard it works or cold sores, too. Mix it with water as strong as you can stand and swish it around as much as needed. It won't hurt you to swallow it and it does have a numbing affect.

Hope this helps!! I've had them before and they are miserable!
K.

I was told to rinse after each meal and in the morning and before bed with 1 tablespoon of Mylanta, swish it around in the mouth for one minute, and then spit it out. Dont rinse your mouth more water. I had a bunch of the canker sores and that took care of them with in just a couple of days.

To heal faster and to relieve pain, use Anbesol gel (normal strength, extra strenght will burn too much and not necessary). Put a dab on q-tip and use as needed. It will numb it and make you forget it is there. Great for acidentally hitting mouth on gums with toothbrush or biting cheek or tongue.

Also, read up on Lysine.

FYI, I know that I am going to have fever blisters when the following occurs:
I generate a mild fever from overexcitement or from dry lips or from extreme weather conditions; windy day, hot day

Three days later, my lips will feel puffy, small blisters will start to form. I generally try to take about 6 - 100 mil of Lysine in AM and 6 at night. It is just an amino acid, will not hurt you. I've found that when I pierce them with a sterile needle, it helps to relieve the pressure, clear fluid will seep out. I then dab with Anbesol gel, it clears up within days. If I don't pierce, the blister continue to grow bigger. I really sympathize with people who get these outbreaks.

Hope this helps.

an old dentist i used to work for used and recommended a native american remedy for cankers in the mouth. buy golden seal root, powdered, also known as hydrastis powder. it's dark green powder. comes in capsules nowadays. opena capsule, take a cotton swab stick, dab some on, dab the canker sore. it tasts foul, but helps numb canker and causes rapid healing, in a couple of days. Can apply as often as wish.
also no catsup, vinegar, tomatoes (acid foods) for a few days. system is acid when get cankers.
this relieves my 12 year old son, but tastes so bad he sometimes prefers to suffer with the canker. i just tell him not to play with it with his tongue.

Rincinol !! Magic You can get this from your Dentist. the will give you a sample.. I put it in a old perscription bottle. and use a Qtip to put it on its great Does not taste bad and works like magic.. My husband and I both use it once in a while it works overnight.

I get them on my tongue! It's the worst. Gargle with warm water and salt. I also use the cream called Canka. I think that's what it's called. Good luck.

Certainly hope by now your sores are gone. Shelly T's advice from Jan 3rd was right on. A physician once told me they really don't know for certain what causes canker sores.He strongly felt it had something to do with lack of normal bacillus in digestive tract, and recommended I take lactobacillus. You can get it by asking a pharmacy. It is pills and they need to be refrigerated.I believe I was told to take 2 pills(chewable or you can swallow them) 3 times a day for a week. Then he had me reduce to 2 times a day for 1 week. AT the time I had several, one being about dime size. They were all gone in about a week. I had a couple other occasions to use this and it worked both times. Try topical whatever works for you. Also if you begin to feel the tingle sensation that pre-warns you one is coming cut way back on pop(acidic acid) and all citrus and 9 times out of 10 you won't end up with an open area. Very painful I know. know this is a late message but hope it helps. J. N

Selenium in the vitamin sections in the stores, drug stores, meijer, walmart, etc. this is good for cold sores, canker sores, etc.

there is a vitamin, L-Lynsc (or something like that), that you can get at Walgreens. I take 2 tablets twice a day and it works. The tablets are white and if you ever had the sores on the outside of your mouth you could break it up and water it for a paste and put it over that.
It really works- I get these sores all the time and that is what I use.

Try looking near the dental floss at your local Super-Walmart. I found some gel patches (although ugly) they worked!!!

As a Nurse I agree w/the recommendation already given:
Two prescription drugs come to mind...Zovirax and Valtrex. Both are used to treat the different types of herpes viruses which is what some canker sores are. You may want to have your MD check it out to see if you are a candidate for one of these meds.
You really need to have the HTLV-1 test done and then STAY on a full round of the Zovirax...these are very contagious and the virus is easily spread both directly and indirectly!
This is a lifetime situation and must be approached as such.
Stress does indeed bring it on so learn to recogonize the signs and remember to breath!
Good luck and take the medication...
C.

Try a warm salt-water rinse. Just mix some salt with warm-water and swish and rinse a couple times a few times during the day. The salt helps cleanse it and helps it to heal.

Two prescription drugs come to mind...Zovirax and Valtrex. Both are used to treat the different types of herpes viruses which is what some canker sores are. You may want to have your MD check it out to see if you are a candidate for one of these meds.

If you go to your dentist they may have a medicine in stock that they can apply or at least they can call in a prescription for you (although some pharmacies may have to order it.) The medicine usually comes in a 2 pack of long Q-tip looking applicators. You bend the stick part and it lets the medicine flow down into the swab. You hold the swab against the sore for just a few seconds. Warning this hurts almost as childbirth, (I actually had to lay down and put my feet up as I almost passed out!) but the sore was healed instatntly. I can't remember the name of the medicine, but your dentist should know it.

If you have onhand, mix children's benedryl and maalox and apply with a Q-tip.

rhinicol rinse helps coat them

nothing gets rid of them faster they last 7-10 days you can only soothe them until then

Salt. I sometimes get them on the inside of my lip - just put some salt directly on it and leave it for as long as you can stand it. Hurts, but it will help it go away faster. Also, Lavoris mouthwash helps to "numb" and toughen up your mouth a little.

Rinsing with warm salt water will work, but what I swear by is simply keeping it clean by rinsing your mouth with mouthwash several times a day.

You can gargle with Peroxide as long as you don't swallow - also if you use the original Listerine several times a day - nasty taste but that has always worked for me.

If you have onhand, mix children's benedryl and maalox and apply with a Q-tip.

My mom alwasy had us swish peroxide in our mouth for cancer sores. It's been a while since I've had one but it did seem to help. Good luck.

I did see a commercial for a medicine patch that goes on the sore inside your mouth. I'm sorry I cannot remeber the name of the brand. Just FYI for next time (hope not)

Gargle with salt everyday until it goes away, or dab some salt on it directly, I know it burns alittle but it works.

There is a supplement that you can pick up at GNC called L-Lysine 500 that will help get rid of cancer sores in most cases. You just take it for a couple of days and the sore should go away. You can get a bottle of 100 tabs for between $7-12 which will last over a year depending on how often you get the sores. As soon as you feel a sore coming on, start taking the supplement until it's gone. Hope this helps.

Hi,

Camphophenique is what I use - it tastes horrible but will do the trick.

Suck on some chewable vitamin C tablets for a day or so.
That should help.

Warm salt water rinse or Canka or Kanka - don't know the spelling. (Over the counter medication)

I suffer from cold soars too. I get them if I stress out alot. I have tried everything and nothing works. But what works is my Dentist can laser them off!!!!!! you go in and instantly they are gone.....relief!!!!!....ask your Dentist if he does that if not I can give you my dentist number in HomerGlen.

A.

Not sure if it's your canker sore or for one of your kids - but, it could be Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease (Coxsackie Virus). It's viral and goes away in about a week. Advil works best. It's a virus easily picked up at daycare, playgroups, any interactive child-friendly arena.

My mom gets them often and badly. She has a prescription. Check with your doc.

FYI its common for tomatoe and orange/other citris to cause canker sores... so stay away from that if its an on going prob. I use Lysine (though not sure on age safety). They also have toothpaste for canker sores so it doesn't hurt

In the toothpaste aisle (i think) there is a product that Rembrandt makes, I think its called something like canker sore relief. They have a gel, toothpaste, and a mouth rinse. These are very soothing for the sore and don't sting.

There is a mouthwash product called Biotene. It is the best thing on the market for them. You can rinse with it or dab it on with a Q-tip and it is gone in 24 hours.
Good Luck

Warm salt water. It's an old remedy but a good one. Swish it around in your mouth and hold it for awhile then spit it out.

Biotene mouthwash in your k or wal - Mart. Nutriferon helps keep them away.
Find it online at shaklee.net/B.

I've always been told salt water. Might sting like a cuss but it works. Hope you're feeling better soon. When you mix the water and salt, if it tastes absolutely terrible, you got the mixture right.

Hi there~
There is an over the counter medicine called "Glyoxcide". You can apply it directly to the sore or just put some drops on your tongue and then swish.
It really helps!
Also, you can put some hydrogen peroxcide on a qtip and apply it to the sore.
Just be careful not to swallow . . .
Good luck!

My son, who is now 6, used to get them very often. Our local health food store told us that it is a symptom of imbalance in the digestive system and suggested that we give him probiotics. Since we gave him probiotics (some chewable bears), he has not had a problem. If he even gets a sore from brushing his teeth, I give him those and in a day he's better.

My husband has a rinse that he swears works wonders on canker sores. I don't know the name of it, but if you look in the toothpaste/mouthwash section of a drugstore, you should be able to find it.

Another vote for Glyoxide. I'm 40 and have been using it for canker sores since I was little.