| Known medically as aphthous stomatitis, canker | | | | pain, and cut the healing time down to about a |
| sores are painful ulcers of the oral cavity. Canker | | | | week. Of course, if you experience a canker sore |
| sores can appear on the tongue, gums, soft | | | | that just won't heal or one that seems to be |
| palate or inside the lip or cheek. Most canker | | | | getting worse instead of better, your doctor can |
| sores are little more than nuisances, but some | | | | advise you on the best course of treatment.For a |
| can make talking, chewing and swallowing | | | | natural approach to canker sores, prevention |
| painful.The exact cause of canker sores is | | | | seems to be the key. Canker sores are strongly |
| unknown but doctors know that canker sores | | | | linked to deficiencies of thiamin, iron, zinc, folic acid |
| aren't contagious and, unlike cold sores, which are | | | | and B12. In addition to increasing your intake of |
| just herpes infections of the lip, canker sores | | | | the leafy greens known to be high in these |
| don't seem to be virus-based. However, canker | | | | nutrients, your health care provider may also test |
| sores do seem to be related to gluten | | | | you for gluten sensitivity. Some gluten-sensitive |
| sensitivities, mouth injury and a depressed | | | | patients have reported a complete remission of |
| immune system.There is some evidence that | | | | canker sores simply by eliminating this common |
| Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, a foaming agent commonly | | | | allergen. Additionally, a round of probiotics, |
| used in oral care products, may play a role in | | | | benefical bacteria capsules that can be purchased |
| canker sore outbreaks. Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, or | | | | at any natural foods store, may be helpful for |
| SLS, encourages sloughing of the oral mucosa and | | | | some people.Alum, slippery elm and |
| dries the protective barrier of the mouth, allowing | | | | deglycyrrhizinated licorice (DGL) are popular natural |
| the more delicate tissue underneath to become | | | | treatments. Purchase these products at any large |
| damaged.Most canker sores clear on their own | | | | health food store, grind them into a powder and |
| within about three weeks but you can speed the | | | | add just enough water to make a thin paste. |
| healing process a bit by using the | | | | Apply the paste directly to the sore.Lisa Barger is |
| over-the-counter medication Debactoral. Though it | | | | a traditional naturopath specializing in natural health |
| isn't really a "natural" cure, Debactoral will | | | | education. To learn more about Ms. |
| chemically cauterize the area, reduce or eliminate | | | | |