Canker Sores? - Boynton Beach,FL

I have had them all of my life. I always get them when I am either stressed or have eaten a lot of acidic foods - tomatoes are my downfall. I have tried everything from Gly-Oxide, saltwater rinses and Rx's - nothing worked. I now use two products - Campho Phenique & Pepto Bismal. I use Campho Phenique applied w/ a q-tip for immediately relief and before I eat - so I can eat. B/c they are caused by acid in my system, just before bed, I rinse (completely coat the mouth) then swallow Pepto Bismal (an acid reducer) - do not drink or rinse after that - and by the morning, they are drastically reduced. After about 1-3 nights they are completely gone. My grandfather and my aunt do this too and it works for them as well. I know, people think I am crazy until they try it! Good luck!!!!

Lysine & Kanka (sold in drugstores) I have had thenm off 7 on for yrs (almost every time after the dentist & when I am really run-down)... sorry :(

from http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/canker-sore/DS00354/DSEC...

"The precise cause of canker sores remains unclear, though researchers suspect that a combination of several factors contributes to outbreaks, even in a single individual. These factors include:

1) A minor injury to your mouth from dental work, overzealous brushing, sports mishaps, spicy or acidic foods, or an accidental cheek bite
2) Food sensitivities, particularly to chocolate, coffee, strawberries, eggs, nuts, cheese and highly acidic foods, such as pineapple
3) Food allergies
4) A diet lacking in vitamin B-12, zinc, folate (folic acid) or iron
5) An allergic response to certain bacteria in your mouth
6) Helicobacter pylori, the same bacteria that cause peptic ulcers
7) Celiac disease, a serious intestinal disorder caused by a sensitivity to gluten, a protein found in most grains
8) Inflammatory bowel diseases, such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis
Behcet's disease, a rare disorder that causes inflammation throughout the body, including the mouth
9) A faulty immune system that attacks healthy cells in your mouth instead of pathogens, such as viruses and bacteria
10) HIV/AIDS, which suppresses the immune system
11) Hormonal shifts during menstruation
12) Emotional stress
13) Toothpastes and mouth rinses containing sodium lauryl sulfate

lifestyles and home remedies:
To relieve pain and speed healing:
 Rinse your mouth. Use salt water; baking soda (dissolve 1 teaspoon of soda in 1/2 cup warm water); hydrogen peroxide diluted by half with water; or a mixture of 1 part diphenhydramine (Benadryl) to either 1 part bismuth subsalicylate (Kaopectate) or 1 part simethicone (Maalox). Be sure to spit out the mixtures after rinsing.
 Cover lesions with a paste made of baking soda.
 Try over-the-counter products that contain a numbing agent, such as Anbesol and Orajel.
 Avoid abrasive, acidic or spicy foods that can cause further irritation and pain.
 Apply ice to your canker sores or allow ice chips to slowly dissolve over the sores.
 Brush your teeth gently, using a soft brush and toothpaste without foaming agents, such as TheraBreath.
 Dab a small amount of milk of magnesia on your canker sore a few times a day. This can ease the pain and may help the sore heal more quickly.
GOOD LUCK!

Take Lysene (spelling), go to a natural food store in your area and they should know what I'm talking about.

I have two suggestions. One is to be tested for Lupus and seek out a N.A.E.T. practitioner in your area. Allergies/blockages to foods will certainly give you canker sores. The skin is the first area that will tell you something is wrong inside. It is sending a response to the outside of your body to warn you. Canker sores happen to people who have Lupus because the body is fighting it's own immune system. Either way, NAET will take you a long way in suuporting your immune system. Go to NAET.com to find someone.

you're sick, or rundown. your immune system is low. Are you getting enough sleep? You may be deficient in vitamin D. You should have that looked at. Get lots of rest. Ask your doctor about a virus blocker, which some people use if they get lots of cold sores.

Get on the net and research. There is always a "root cause" to any issue.
It may be something in your diet, like too much acidic foods.
Best wishes

I get them too. Stay away from caffeine it feeds them. I get them from stress and certain foods. I don't have any other suggestions. I just wanted to see if anyone had any remedies I hadn't tried. I haven't tried the canker covers like you mentioned so I might give them a try.

my kids used to get them ALOT. Over the years they have come to realize it is what they eat and drink that bring them out. If they stay away from acidic food, sodas, etc. they do not get them. They tried all meds and none of them really worked. Sometimes they got some relief from orajel, but not always. Another product they found recently that works is zavita, you can order it at www.firstfitness.com/mpmondsini.

Top 4 things to address them are Acidophilus, L-Lysine, B-Complex, and Vitamin C. I had tried everything but the L-Lysine for years and not relief. Then my brother told me something about peanuts creating an imbalance of L-Lysine (an amino acid) in the body. I already had some other symptomatic issues with peanuts and acne. But I finally discovered that if I completely stayed away from peanuts, the canker sores went away. I took L-Lysine daily for a month and now I only take it when I know I've eaten some peanuts or I feel a canker sore starting. It's worth a try.

Start taking high doses of L-lysine- whatever is on the label. Usually you will see improvement in about 3 days.

It is sometimes caused by a herpes virus & stress can cause an outbreak.

The probiotics, vit C & B complex is not a bad idea either.

My grandmother use to say that it was your body was too acidic & recommended to take baking soda. (although the tums or rolaids taste better).

Could allergies etc be the cause?, Thrush etc sure.

I personally would try the above first.

Hi Kristy,
Many times, with canker sores, your body's ph level is too acidic. You can buy a ph test kit at vitamin stores to check your level. Acidic foods like orange juice and tomatoes (and many others) increase your acid levels. Stress will also do it too.
Hope this helps.
L.

I had them a lot as a teen and into my 20's. FINALLY, I stopped getting them but I KNOW YOUR PAIN.

I used salt water, sauerkraut juice, vodka, ANYTHING. The Dentist gave me an RX that was similar to orabase but stronger. I used it at night only and the sore would be gone within 2 days, dramatically better the next morning.

Good luck.

I agree with Liz. Your body is telling you something. Take it as a license to cut yourself some slack and focus on being healthy. Sleep, exercise, good nutrition, emotional balance...find a way to get what you need and don't be afraid or too proud to ask for help.

A doctor once told me to get zinc throat lozenges and put them directly on a canker sore a few times a day, keep them there until the stinging stops. Did it- it worked! It did sting at first and for me the sore went away quickly and the zinc became a preventative thing- use it at first sign and they never actually get bad. I've never had a problem with ongoing sores though. Good luck.

do you drink a lot of caffeine? if you do - wean off of it and cut it out for a month and see if that helps. it may be an allergy

Do you grind your teeth? My husband does something similar when he sleeps. It sounds very much like he is eating, but he is actually CHEWING on his tongue and inside of his cheeks. I wake him up everytime I hear him doing this. This could be you also.

Maybe something in the toothpaste and/or mouthwash is irritating your mouth. Even "natural" things can be irritants and allergens. I would suggest switching to something like Crest and/or Listerine for a week and see what happens. If it clears up, switch back to a different brand of naturals, but keep the other stuff around in case that irritates you too. If it's not that, it may be diet. But since those are going in your mouth regularly, that's where I would start.