Canker Sore Research Area

     This section has in depth information about all aspects of canker sores, also called mouth ulcers, oral ulcers, aphthous stomatitis, ulcerative stomatitis and apthae. 

Who gets canker sores and how long do they last?

     Canker sores can affect people from all walks of life, but are more prevalent in women.  Most people have their first experience with a canker sore between the ages of 10 and 40.   It is believed that a little over 50% of the population gets them.  Canker Sores normally last up to 21 days or longer, and recurrences are very common and painful.  However, Canker Free helps provide your body  with the nutritional support to help stop them from forming!

What do canker sores look like and where do they form?

     Canker Sores are small irritating ulcers about 1mm-2mm across, with a red outline and yellowish, grayish and or/ white centers. Occasionally a canker sore can get as large or larger than 1 centimeter, but this is very rare.  See picture below for an illustration.

Is there a cure for canker sores?

No! 

     Other products claim to be able to cure canker sores.  This is not true!  Just like the common cold, canker sores cannot be cured.  Recurrences are common, especially in those lacking the proper nutritional building blocks. There may be no true "cure", but Canker Free can help provide the essential nutrients to help the body prevent future canker sores.

Causes of Canker Sores

Vitamin Deficiencies

     Specifically low levels of B1, B2, B6, B12, iron, folic acid, L-Lysine and vitamin-C.  This can be helped through supplementation with Canker Free.  The  National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research says "Vitamins and other nutritional supplements often prevent recurrences or reduce the severity of canker sores in patients with a nutritional deficiency."  See our Supplement Facts section for more detailed information.

Trauma to the Mouth

     This can be caused by something as simple as a toothbrush, dentures or braces.  Any small abrasion or sore inside the mouth can turn into a canker sore.  The initial sore caused by the trauma is not a canker sore until it becomes infected. 

Fancy, bulky toothbrushes can actually help cause canker sores if they rub and irritate the inside of the mouth.

Believe it or not, according to the "American Journal of Preventive Medicine", there are over 2400 emergency room visits every year involving injuries during tooth brushing.

Stress

     Stress seems to affect every facet of our lives, and canker sores are no exception.  Canker sores have been closely linked to prolonged and/or intense stress.  The experts say that simply avoiding stress can help canker sore outbreaks.  Those prone to stress have also been shown to have significantly lower levels of the B vitamins in their body. Canker Free contains a B vitamin complex which may help reduce any deficiency. 

Toothpaste containing SLS

     Most toothpastes on the market contain a substance called SLS (Sodium Lauryl Sulfate) This substance is known to cause and inflame canker sores by attacking the mucous membranes in the mouth.  If your toothpaste contains SLS, we recommend you stop using it now; even toothpastes labeled "natural" usually contain SLS.  Baking soda and SLS free toothpastes are good alternatives. 

A Treatment for Canker Sores

     As you have probably noticed, Canker Free has been mentioned as a great way to get quick relief from canker sores! 

     Visit our Why Canker Free section for more information.  Or, if you are ready, you can Buy Now or call us toll free at 1-866-NO-CANKER to order by phone.

Other Treatments for Canker Sores

     There are many treatments available to help with canker sores.  Many lessen the pain temporarily, but do not necessarily get rid of the problem.

Cautery agents:

     Chemicals like silver nitrate, sulfuric acid, and dichloroacetic acid are used in  a process called cauterization.  To give you an idea, the word cauterization comes from the Greek word for "branding iron". 

     Cauterization involves using chemicals to burn the canker sore and create a temporary scab to protect the sore from infection.  Only a doctor should perform this procedure because improper self-administration of silver nitrate could result in losing mouth parts (like your tongue)! 

     In fact, doctors are reluctant to even prescribe silver nitrate (distributed on wooden applicators) for fear of an accident or abuse. 

     The problem with these procedures is the scab that is created from burning the sore has a tendency to fall off in a few hours!  Why would you burn your mouth just to form a scab that falls off in your mouth?

Notice: 

     Many products that claim to produce a "liquid bandage" are really cautery agents, check the active ingredients!

     You don't need to burn your mouth to get relief!  Canker Free's all natural components work from the inside.

          Topical Pain Killers:

     There are several products on the market that deal specifically with the pain of a canker sore.  These products usually contain some form of benzocaine.  While these can substantially soothe the pain of a canker sore, they do not have a pleasant taste, and  do not solve the problem.  Do you really want to keep a bottle of liquid with you at all times?  This kind of pain relief is only temporary!

           Steroids:

     Steroids can only be obtained with a doctor's or dentist's prescription.  Keep the cost of the doctor's visit and the prescription  in mind.  One visit to the doctor for canker sore could get very expensive!  Furthermore, steroids have many potential negative health side effects, and aren't always effective.

Antibiotics:

     Antibiotics such as Tetracycline may be prescribed by a doctor to help heal a canker sore.  The problem with this is once again cost and effectiveness.  A 30 count bottle of Tetracycline can run you around $80.00 if you purchase over the internet.  This does not even count the cost of either a doctor's visit or an online consultation!

     Another thing to keep in mind with antibiotics like Tetracycline is safety.  An expired bottle of tetracycline can cause severe kidney damage.  Furthermore, tetracycline has been found to cause permanent stains and discoloration of teeth in some people!

     Canker Free costs only a fraction of the price of tetracycline.

        Dietary Changes:

Offbeat Relief

         Pregnancy:

     While we don't recommend getting pregnant as a means of curing canker sores, studies have shown that canker sore sufferers often  experience no problems during pregnancy.  Scientists aren't exactly sure why, but it is believed that hormone levels may play a key role.  It has also been theorized that the increased food intake which is typical during pregnancy may be responsible.  This increased intake may help with vitamin deficiencies in the body.

          Smoking:

     There has been much debate whether smoking is a viable means of stopping canker sores.  There are many people, however, who swear that smoking stops their canker sores, but there is no scientific evidence to back this up.   It is believed possibly that smoking dries the mouth, and therefore bacteria cannot grow as easily.  Keep in mind this is only a theory and has not been proven.  Smoking is obviously not recommended as a legitimate remedy.

     Conversely, smoking has also been listed as a cause of canker sores.  This is believed to be a result of damage done to the mouth by smoking (see trauma to the mouth). This is also only a theory.

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Disclaimer:

     These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

     This research is for informational purposes only. It is based on scientific studies and/or traditional usage. Please do your own due diligence.  Consult a health care professional before using any supplements or making any changes in prescription and/or over the counter  medications.

LifeLine Labs will never sell or give out your personal or financial information! 

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