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