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