Canker Sores
Soothing a Sore Mouth
Never is the statement "Out of sight, out of mind" less true than in the case of a canker sore. From the outside, you can't see that little white ulcer with the red border on the inside of your mouth. Others can't tell anything is amiss. But you sure know it's there every time you open your mouth to talk or--ouch!--eat.
Aphthous stomatitis, the technical name for a canker sore, is a bit of a medical mystery. No one really knows why some people frequently get these stinging lesions on their tongue and gums and inside their cheeks. Heredity does seem to play a role, as do stress, certain foods and abrasions, such as those caused by dentures.
Left alone, canker sores will generally clear up in 10 to 14 days, but there's no need to suffer in silence that long. Doctors can recommend a prescription medicated gel containing hydrocortisone, which is soothing and may speed healing, or even an over-the-counter ointment such as Blistex to numb the pain. And if you're prone to canker sores, there are some nutritional strategies that may prevent these nasty critters from becoming repeat offenders. Here's what many experts recommend.
| Food Factors You already know about certain foods from experience. That salty, sharp-edged potato chip, for example, is sure to hurt when it bumps up against a canker sore. And you wouldn't think of giving it that opportunity. But do you know that some foods can actually trigger a new sore? Here's what oral health experts recommend eating (or not eating). Avoid citrus. Acidic foods such as tomatoes and citrus fruits can both aggravate an existing sore and stimulate an outbreak, according to research gathered by the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery. If you're prone to canker sores, go easy on things such as grapefruit and lemonade. Eat more yogurt. Eating yogurt each day keeps canker sores away, says Julian Whitaker, M.D., founder and president of the Whitaker Wellness Center in Newport Beach, California. If you're prone to canker sores, he recommends eating at least four tablespoons of yogurt daily to prevent outbreaks. To heal an outbreak, he recommends eating at least one eight-ounce container a day. To work, Dr. Whitaker says, the yogurt must contain active Lactobacillus acidophilus cultures. (If the yogurt contains these cultures, it will say so on the label.) |
Vitamin C for Relief
Though studies have not yet been done to prove their effectiveness, vitamin C supplements get their share of kudos. Oral health experts tout this vitamin as an effective means of preventing canker sores.
"Actually, it works against cold sores and canker sores," says Craig Zunka, D.D.S., past president of the Holistic Dental Association and a dentist in Front Royal, Virginia. "But since you can't feel a canker sore coming on, you have to take vitamin C every day instead of just at the onset of an outbreak, the way you can with cold sores."
For optimum prevention, many experts recommend taking 500 milligrams a day, every day, especially for people who are under a lot of stress or who smoke. To treat a new sore, take 1,000 milligrams of vitamin C right away, then follow up with 500 milligrams three times a day until the sore has cleared up, says Dr. Zunka. (Some people may experience diarrhea when taking more than 1,200 milligrams of vitamin C a day.) "Just be sure you take vitamin C with bioflavonoids," notes Dr. Zunka, "because plain vitamin C will not work as well." Bioflavonoids are chemical compounds closely linked to vitamin C.
Although oranges and grapefruit are excellent sources of both vitamin C and bioflavonoids, too much citrus can backfire and trigger canker sore outbreaks in people prone to these pesky lesions. So oral health experts say that supplementation is your best bet if you are prone to them.
| Prescriptions for Healing Only time is guaranteed to make canker sores go away. But if you want to speed healing and avoid new outbreaks, some experts say these nutrients might help. Nutrient Daily Amount/Application
Oral
Vitamin C 500 milligrams to prevent sores with bioflavonoids, 1,000 milligrams, taken at the first sign of a sore; then 1,500 milligrams, taken as 3 divided doses, until the sore heals Plus a multivitamin/mineral supplement containing the Daily Values of folic acid, iron and vitamin B12 Topical
Vitamin E Oil from 1 capsule, applied directly to the sore
MEDICAL ALERT: Vitamin C in excess of 1,200 milligrams a day may cause diarrhea in some people. |
Take a Multi for Your Mouth
If you find that your canker sores have become more like intrusive weekend guests than occasional party crashers, you may need more than just a boost of vitamin C. According to research, you may have any of a number of different nutrient deficiencies.
Although research is inconclusive, several studies have linked deficiencies of folate, iron and vitamin B12 to recurrent canker sores, and some doctors believe that upping your intake of these nutrients might be beneficial for prevention.
Your best bet, say oral health experts, is to cover all your bases by taking a multivitamin/mineral supplement that includes the Daily Values of these nutrients.
Squeeze on Vitamin E
If, despite your best efforts, a canker sore puts in a bothersome appearance, a little vitamin E may be just what the doctor ordered. Only this time, suggests Dr. Zunka, instead of tossing back a vitamin E supplement or filling up on vitamin E-rich foods, crack open a vitamin E capsule and slather the oil directly on the sore for immediate pain relief.
