'Bout the same as scratching a bug bite till it bleeds, or picking a scab till it bleeds, or biting your fingernails back till they bleed or wiggling a loose tooth. How could you not? I don't do any of those, but I have a friend who does.
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How do you deal with canker sores?
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'Bout the same as scratching a bug bite till it bleeds, or picking a scab till it bleeds, or biting your fingernails back till they bleed or wiggling a loose tooth. How could you not? I don't do any of those, but I have a friend who does.
1. listerine: i do this regularly, but my cousin said she does this for cankersores only with some success
2. anbesol: right on the sore(s) a few times a day, i prefer the regular/medicine-taste one, i tried to aloe vera one too
3. salt water: a good teaspoon to tablespoon of salt plus warm/boiling water, just remember to not swallow
let us know how it's going...
2. anbesol: right on the sore(s) a few times a day, i prefer the regular/medicine-taste one, i tried to aloe vera one too
3. salt water: a good teaspoon to tablespoon of salt plus warm/boiling water, just remember to not swallow
let us know how it's going...
Haven't had one in a long time but I was told as a child to put "Powder(ed) Alum" (sp?) on it. My mom had it in her kitchen spices, a white powder that would numb it.
At least that's what she told me it was...
I had them all my life until my dentist told me to use Listerine daily for my gums. That cured them for me.
Before, if I bit my lip it was guaranteed to turn into a canker sore and be painful for a week or two. Now I just do Listerine at night (in addition to my normal morning rinse) and the bite never turns into an ulcer. I haven't had one in over five years now. A lot better than one or two a month that I used to get.
The odd thing is that after starting on Listerine I started to get staining between my teeth (between dental cleanings). I don't drink coffee or tea so it is a bit of a mystery. The best answer my dentist could come up with it that the type of bacteria in my mouth have changed. It's an acceptable change in my mind.
I told this to my brother and he said that after he got a water filter (for his small town water that tastes pretty bad) and drinks more water he hardly ever gets them any more. So perhaps being properly hydrated helps too.
Greg
Before, if I bit my lip it was guaranteed to turn into a canker sore and be painful for a week or two. Now I just do Listerine at night (in addition to my normal morning rinse) and the bite never turns into an ulcer. I haven't had one in over five years now. A lot better than one or two a month that I used to get.
The odd thing is that after starting on Listerine I started to get staining between my teeth (between dental cleanings). I don't drink coffee or tea so it is a bit of a mystery. The best answer my dentist could come up with it that the type of bacteria in my mouth have changed. It's an acceptable change in my mind.
I told this to my brother and he said that after he got a water filter (for his small town water that tastes pretty bad) and drinks more water he hardly ever gets them any more. So perhaps being properly hydrated helps too.
Greg
as to origins
With respect to the origin of a canker sore, you should pay attention to what you were doing and what you ate just before it made its appearance. Biting could cause it. Acids in food or drinks could cause it. Another possible origin is a form of herpes or other viral infections. If they keep coming back, you should see a doctor to determine if a virus is causing the trouble.
With respect to the origin of a canker sore, you should pay attention to what you were doing and what you ate just before it made its appearance. Biting could cause it. Acids in food or drinks could cause it. Another possible origin is a form of herpes or other viral infections. If they keep coming back, you should see a doctor to determine if a virus is causing the trouble.
Just to clarify for anyone who is still confused.... canker sore = mouth ulcer.
And I used to get them all. the. time. I had one so big once, that I could stick the entire tip of my tongue into the center of it without touching the edges. That one was painful. The doc gave me some topical anesthetic and a silver nitrate stick. I numbed it, and held the silver nitrate stick in the middle of the ulcer for a few seconds. That cauterized it. And yes...it hurt. Even with through the numbness.
Fortunately, it went away two days after that.
Lately, I've found that since I started using Listerine twice a day to rinse out my mouth, I only get ulcers 2-3 times a year instead of once a month.
Still, when I do get them, I dry them out and dab some Anbesol on there.
Kank-a works too. It forms a protective coating over the ulcer.
So - to sum up...
Listerine and Anbesol are your friends.
And I used to get them all. the. time. I had one so big once, that I could stick the entire tip of my tongue into the center of it without touching the edges. That one was painful. The doc gave me some topical anesthetic and a silver nitrate stick. I numbed it, and held the silver nitrate stick in the middle of the ulcer for a few seconds. That cauterized it. And yes...it hurt. Even with through the numbness.
Fortunately, it went away two days after that.
Lately, I've found that since I started using Listerine twice a day to rinse out my mouth, I only get ulcers 2-3 times a year instead of once a month.
Still, when I do get them, I dry them out and dab some Anbesol on there.
Kank-a works too. It forms a protective coating over the ulcer.
So - to sum up...
Listerine and Anbesol are your friends.
there is a difference between a COLDSORE and a CANKER SORE. Im not sure which the OP has.
If it is a coldsore ( they form on the lip or nose) go see your doctor and ask for a prescription called ACLOYVIER. You have to ask for it though. You take 5 a day, and the sore is gone in 3.
I get cold sores 3 times a month. I once had one cover my entire lip( top and bottom) and nose. Couldnt eat, smile, brush my teeth or laugh for a week.
They are due to stress or consuming to much acid ( tomatoes, oranges..ect...)
Hope this helps.
If it is a coldsore ( they form on the lip or nose) go see your doctor and ask for a prescription called ACLOYVIER. You have to ask for it though. You take 5 a day, and the sore is gone in 3.
I get cold sores 3 times a month. I once had one cover my entire lip( top and bottom) and nose. Couldnt eat, smile, brush my teeth or laugh for a week.
They are due to stress or consuming to much acid ( tomatoes, oranges..ect...)
Hope this helps.
Salt water during the day. Gargle hydrogen peroxide before bed at night. L-lysine (essential amino acid supplement), 1 pill 3x a day.
That's what I do and it's always worked. I don't really remember the last time I had a canker sore though.
I also use Kank-A. I don't know if it actually makes them go away quicker but it does help the pain. Something the doc told me as a way to avoid them is the rinse everyday with one part Listerine, one part peroxide, and one part water. Another thing I've started doing is using natural toothpaste and mounthwash. I think it's called Tom's of Maine or something like that. I haven't had nearly as many since I started using it.
Everyone...this is the best solution- Teething Baby Gel by Orajel. It numbs the sore for hours and hours.
http://www.orajel.com/products/baby/teething/gel.htm
http://www.orajel.com/products/baby/teething/gel.htm
Old irish remedy.. Providing your old enough to get the stuff, Whiskey works wonders. Anything above 40% works the best.
Adding to an older thread, I've got to agree with the "KANK-A" medicine... I've got (yet another) canker sore, and this always seems to help out. That and mouthwash... keep using mouthwash.
These work instantly:
are easy to apply without messy fingers and don't require repeated applications. All the other gels and old remedies do not work as well. Listerine is quite astringent as a preventative. Check with your dentist before relying on it.
are easy to apply without messy fingers and don't require repeated applications. All the other gels and old remedies do not work as well. Listerine is quite astringent as a preventative. Check with your dentist before relying on it.
I suffered under these canker sores for many years. In a newsgroup I read about the topic and some guy recommended as toothpaste "colgate total", which have some special indegriend (I don't know anymore, which one).
Since I used this thootpaste, appr. 10 years ago, I have a cancer sore maybe two or three in a year. And they are small now and gone between four days.
And it's really this toothpaste in my case: I switched to another one two times and the canker sores immediateley returns.
Many people told me, by using a tootpaste based on salt, the problem will also disappear. Tried this, too. But it doesn't work for me.
Since I used this thootpaste, appr. 10 years ago, I have a cancer sore maybe two or three in a year. And they are small now and gone between four days.
And it's really this toothpaste in my case: I switched to another one two times and the canker sores immediateley returns.
Many people told me, by using a tootpaste based on salt, the problem will also disappear. Tried this, too. But it doesn't work for me.
Canker sores are a type of ulcer in your mouth. Imagine putting Alcohol (mouthwash), salt, or aspirin on an ulcer! NOT a good idea! A product with benzocaine will help for about 20-40 minutes. There's also a mixture where you combine milk of magnesia, benadryl (liquid), and lidocaine that you swoosh around in your mouth, but probably have to get it from a doctor or dentist.
Think soothing, it's an ulcer, not a bacterial infection. Bad medical advice is bad.
Think soothing, it's an ulcer, not a bacterial infection. Bad medical advice is bad.