Canker sores are mouth ulcers which are an open sore found in the mucus membrane skins inside the lips, cheeks, on the roof of the mouth, and on the underside of the tongue. These painful sores can also be found on the soft palate and the tonsil areas. There are many causes for canker sores in the mouth, and most are preventable.

An injury such as biting the inside of the cheek can turn into a painful canker sore. An immune system that attacks healthy cells in the mouth instead of viruses and bacteria can also cause these types of mouth ulcers. If you are deficient in vitamins or minerals such as zinc, folic acid, iron or B12 you may develop canker sores.

Food allergies or certain foods which are highly acidic can cause canker sores in the mouth. These include:

* Chocolate
* Acidic foods, oranges or pineapple
* Strawberries
* Eggs
* Cheese
* Nuts
* Coffee

Emotional stress and hormonal changes also cause canker sores, as well as some toothpastes and mouth rinses. Intestinal disorders, Chrohn’s disease and other inflammatory bowel diseases may also cause this mouth disorder.

Cures for these painful sores include eating three kiwis each day, drinking unpasteurized goat’s milk, or using Aloe Vera juice as a mouth rinse. Sound too exotic? If so, here are a few more remedies that you are more likely to find in your kitchen cupboard.

Rinse your mouth with baking soda or warm salt water. Put a dab of horseradish on the sore, eat raw tomatoes or drink tomato juice. You may also want to mix cinnamon and water and then gargle the mixture.

Onions become your friend when you have canker sores. Apply a bit of raw onion to the sore or place an ice cube on the ulcer site. Apply a dab of cinnamon to your canker sore to help it heal faster.

The remedy my grandmother used with me was Alum – and it always worked. It will sting somewhat, but I’ve found nothing faster at clearing up canker sores. To effectively use alum (Ammonium Alum), which can be found at most pharmacies, simply wet a clean finger tip, dip it in the powder and apply a small amount directly to the sore(s). Do this several times a day and you’ll soon find your mouth free and clear from those painful mouth ulcers.

You can also make a salt water/baking soda mixture to rinse your mouth with by combining 1/2 teaspoon of salt and one teaspoon of baking soda in a cup of warm water. You also may make a paste of baking soda and apply to each sore. Dabbing a bit of milk of magnesia on your sore several times a day will help ease the pain and make healing go faster.

Several more exotic home cures will send you to your local health food store. Buy carob honey or raw tehina and dab it on the sore or buy ingredients to make barley tea. Plum juice is said to reduce the pain of canker sores, as does carob juice.

Soak coriander leaves in warm water, and then strain the mixture and use as a mouth rinse. Another effective mouth rinse is made by pouring two cups of boiling water on two tablespoons of Marjoram. Let it sit for ten minutes and use as a gargle. Coriander leaves can be used in the same way.

One preventive measure for stopping canker sores from forming is to not use any toothpaste or mouthwash which contains sodium laurel sulfate. Canker sores are uncomfortable and painful and tend to grow quickly. Without using any remedies or medical treatment, they can take a week to 10 days to clear up on their own. Use one of the above remedies as soon as you realize you have a canker sore forming.

Dee Braun, a single mom of six kids, is a Certified Aromatherapist, Certified Dr. of Reflexology and a natural health practitioner. Click now to visit the Natural Holistic Health Blog which offers information on more natural remedies and natural healing techniques for common health and emotional ailments and conditions at http://www.Natural-Holistic-Health.com/

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I think that canker sores are the most painful ailments ever. I never realized how much I moved my tongue and cheeks until I had a canker sore. Then, I got another one. And another. By the end I had five canker sores at one time, I couldn’t eat or swallow. It was so painful!

So I got online and started researching remedies and I decided to share what I found with the world of online canker sore sufferers. I know your pain, my friend. Here is my list!

Tip #1 Go to the health food store and buy Lysine tablets.  Lysine is an amino acid that the body doesn’t produce on its own, you can only get it through diet. This is the remedy that my Dad uses, he swears by it. It has helped me; I think it deserves to be first on the tip list.

Tip #2 Put baking soda on the sore. I did this and it hurt, but the cold sore was immediately reduced by about half and gone the next day.

Tip #3 Put 5-7 drops of grapefruit seed extract in a glass of water and drink it three times a day. Grapefruit seed extract has the reputation of being an excellent anticeptic. Be warned, though, it tastes worse than awful. Use a strong juice like grape juice to disguise the flavor of the grapefruit seed extract. As a little side note, this is also my mother-in-law’s cure for the common cold also!

Tip #4 I came up with this one all by my self. It hurts like crazy, but the sore is immediately gone and the healing begins. Salt is the miracle cure. I take about one tablespoon of salt and I pack it in my mouth all around the sore. I leave it there for at least 15 minutes. It burns like crazy, probably because the salt is drawing out the poison, but it works. I put this one as number four since my husband thinks I’m crazy for going through the pain. ( He has never had a canker sore before, so his opinion doesn’t carry too much wait for me in this category!)

Tip #5 Once your canker sore is healed, get a new toothbrush! This way you don’t carry any of the bacteria that caused the canker sore and get another one.

I hope that these quick top help you heal your canker sore quickly. However, there are many people that suffer canker sores repeatedly.

Why is that?

I have found that there usually is a much bigger emotional issue that causes canker sores, and when you get to the root of the emotion behind the canker sore, you can eliminate them permanently.

I’m sure this sounds like a stretch, but I’m happy to report that after several years of having canker sores every couple of months, I haven’t suffered from one now in over four years.

Best of health to you!

Deanna Diaz NLP MP is currently fulfilling her dream mission as a life coach, specifically helping others release anxiety and depression and improve their outlook on life. She is also looking for ways to spread good health on a bigger scale, through alternative health care. Please check into the emotional cause for canker sores at http://wordmedicine.com/anxiety-physical-symptoms/canker/ Good Health to you!

If you think you may have had a canker sore in the past, but just aren’t sure, then you most likely haven’t. Why do I say that? Because if you’ve ever had a canker sore then you would remember the pain they can cause. It just plain hurts at times, especially when drinking or eating.

The good news is that there are answers to how to get rid of canker sores and ways to cure them. A canker sore remedy can range from something as simple as eating a more healthy diet to changing the brand of toothpaste that brush with.

If you find that you are experiencing recurring canker sores you might want to change your diet. Are you eating a lot of spicy foods? These can cause new sores break out and slow down the healing process of those you currently have. Citrus fruits are nearly impossible to eat with a canker sore. The acids they contain not only irritate the sore, but cause a good deal of pain. Therefore try and avoid anything that contains a high level of acidity as well as things like chewing gum or hard candy.

While many foods can cause pain, there are some that work in your favor. Foods like yogurt, buttermilk and cottage cheese are great for canker sores. These foods all contain a substance that fights bacteria. If you are prone to getting canker sores it’s wise to incorporate them into your regular diet.

Your toothpaste could also be a cause for canker sores. Many toothpastes being sold in stores contain SLS. Short for Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, SLS is a substance that is tough on the delicate mucous membranes within the mouth. For anyone with a canker sore, it will only irritate it more and cause it to heal at a much slower pace.

Home remedy for canker sores

Some of the basic home remedy for canker sores include:

Rinsing out your mouth with a teaspoon of salt mixed with 8 ounces of water.

You can take 1-2 tablespoons of Maalox and mix it with a half tablespoon of liquid Benadryl.

Try using liquids or ointments that have a numbing agent such as benzocaine (Anbesol, Orabase, Tanac) that will help relieve the discomfort of canker sores

While canker sores are a real pain they can be effectively treated. Try one of these tips and begin to experience some canker sore relief.

You can find out more about Canker Sore Treatment And Prevention as well as much more information about canker sores at http://www.AllAboutCankerSores.com

If you’ve had the unpleasant experience of getting a canker sore then you know the pain it can produce. So, what causes canker sores, and is there any help in prevention of canker sores? Let’s take a quick look at the basics and get your questions answered.

What Is A Canker Sore?

A canker sore, or aphthous ulcers as they are also known as, are small painful sores that form on the inside of your lips, cheeks, and even on your tongue. Don’t confuse a canker sore with a fever blister or a cold sore, which is a virus and forms on the outside of your mouth in most all cases. Unlike cold sores which is the herpes virus, a canker sore is a bacterial infection, and not contagious. Canker sores can occur with any age group, but most commonly affect people between the ages of 10-40. It seems to hit teenagers and women in their 20′s the most for whatever unknown reason. Medical science still has no idea what causes canker sores to form, but many times it is from stress and eating habits.

What Should You Do When One Forms?

If you do nothing to treat a canker sore that has formed, they will go away generally in 1-3 weeks on their own. During this time it can be painful if you happen to drink juices, or drinks that contain a lot of acid in them. The same with foods. Even brushing your teeth can give you a jolt. The pain can send you through the roof! The good news is that there are some canker sore medications that you can get over the counter and apply to reduce the pain and discomfort. Oragel, Anbesol, or a number of other brands all will provide some much needed relief. In addition, there are a number of very good all natural cures.

Should I Seek Medical Attention?

In most all cases there is no need to seek medical attention for a canker sore, but with that said, if you have a very large sore, or it lasts for more than two weeks, you may want to see your health care professional. Also, if you begin feeling sick, or can’t eat or drink, absolutely get in touch with your doctor.

Are There Prescription Medications Available As A Canker Sore Cure?

Yes, there are quite a few prescription medications that your health care professional can prescribe to help as a canker sore treatment. Prescription medications like Peridex, Aphthasol, and Tetracycline can provide the help you’re looking for.

Is There Any Way To Prevent Canker Sores From Forming?

Unfortunately, there is no known prevention of canker sores. There are some things you can do in order to reduce your chances of getting them. Try to avoid using toothpaste with SLS (Sodium Lauryl Sulfate). Be sure to floss your teeth daily. Drink plenty of water and keep spicy foods out of your diet. This is especially true if you are prone to recurring canker sores.

You can find out more on Canker Sore Basics as well as much more information about canker sores at http://www.AllAboutCankerSores.com.