-IBIS-1.7.6-
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eyes/ears/nose/throat
Aphthous stomatitis
Integrative Therapies

Home Care

Canker sores are shallow, open sores that develop in and around the mouth. The sores can be very painful. Their appearance is often accompanied by burning and tingling sensations and a slight swelling inside of the mouth. Although the condition usually clears up by itself in 1 to 3 weeks, recurrent outbreaks are extremely common.

Canker sores are brought on by a combination of factors including:

• Deficiencies in iron, vitamin B12, or folic acid
• Food allergies
• Stress and anxiety


THE FOLLOWING SUPPLEMENTS ARE USED AND CAN BE TAKEN UNTIL SYMPTOMS IMPROVE:

1. Vitamin C – 1,000 milligrams twice a day. For this condition it is better to use a less acidic form of vitamin C, such as calcium ascorbate.

2. Zinc – 25 milligrams twice per day.

3. Multiple vitamins – Take the full dose recommended on the manufacturer's label. Make sure the multi-vitamin does not contain sugar, yeast, or artificial additives.

4. Bioflavonoids – 1,000 milligrams per day.

5. Vitamin B-complex – 50 milligrams once a day.


THE PROPER DIET FOR CANKER SORES WILL INCLUDE:

1. Eating a healthy diet. Avoid or at least decrease consumption of foods high in animal products such as red meat, chicken, eggs, milk, and milk products. However, liver can be consumed if anemia is suspected. Eat plenty of foods that are high in complex carbohydrates such as brown rice and oatmeal. Also, include a variety of fresh vegetables on a daily basis.

2. Another consideration is food allergies. Certain foods seem to be more likely to cause or aggravate canker sores. Eliminating these foods from the diet is a good way to determine if one or several of them are responsible for the problem. The main problem foods are: dairy products (including milk, cheese, ice cream), wheat, corn, oranges, and sugar.

After eliminating all of those foods from the diet, and the symptoms have gone away, one food at a time can be reintroduced to see if the symptoms reoccur. A new food would be introduced each week. If you need more information, you may want to refer to the article on Food sensitivities.

3. Avoid or greatly decrease caffeine in the form of coffee, tea, and chocolate.

4. Avoid use of toothpastes containing sodium lauryl sulfate as several researchers have found that its use contributes to the incidence of mouth ulcers.

5. Smoking and the use of drugs is also discouraged.


HOMEOPATHY:

From the following homeopathic medicines, choose the one that best matches your symptoms. Dissolve 3 pellets under the tongue and take 3 times a day until there is improvement or for up to a maximum of 10 days.

• Borax 6C: This is probably the most common homeopathic remedy used for canker sores, especially if they bleed easily when touched.

• Mercurius sol. 6C: Use if the condition is accompanied by great thirst, swollen tongue or gums, and excessive saliva. There may also be bad breath or a salty or metallic taste in the mouth.

• Nitric acid 6C: For sharp pains around the sores.


TO HELP RELIEVE DISCOMFORT:

1. Add 1 teaspoon of Witch Hazel root to 1 cup boiling water. Simmer for 10 minutes and then let steep. Cool then gargle with this solution 3 times per day. You can make a larger batch and store it in the refrigerator for 2 to 3 days.

2. Apply vitamin A or deglycyrrhizinated licorice (DGL) to the sores as needed.

3. Gargle with a mouthwash of water and 20 drops of either Golden Seal, Myrrh, or Calendula tinctures, which are liquid herbal extracts. You may also use these tinctures in a combination.

4. Avoid eating acids, spicy foods, or other irritants.

Clinic



Footnotes

BarShalom R, Soileau J. (eds.) Natural Health Hotline. Beaverton, OR: Integrative Medical Arts, 1991-1999.

Chanine L, Sempson N, Wagoner C. The effect of sodium lauryl sulfate on recurrent aphthous ulcers: a clinical study. Compend Contin Educ Dent 1997;18:1238-1240.

Das SK, Gulati AK, Singh VP. Deglycyrrhizinated licorice in aphthous ulcers. J Assoc Physicians India 1989; 37:647.

Ferguson, Bashu, Asquith, Cooke. Jejunal mucosal abnormalities in patients with recurrent aphthous ulceration. Br Med J 1975;1:11-13.
Abstract: Jejunal biopsy of 33 patients with RAS showed 8 to have the villous atrophy typical of celiac disease along with histological signs of immunological reactions to food allergens. The remaining patients also exhibited these types of signs, but to a lesser degree.

Gerenrich RL, Hart RW. Treatment of oral ulcerations with Bacid (Lactobacillus acidophilus). Oral Surg 1970;30:196-200.

Haisraeli-Shalish M, Livneh A, Katz J, et al. Recurrent aphthous stomatitis and thiamine deficiency. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod 1996;82:634-636.

Hay KD, Reade PC. The use of an elimination diet in the treatment of recurrent aphthous ulceration of the oral cavity. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol 1984;57:504-507.

Herlosfson BB, Barkvoll P. Sodium lauryl sulfate and recurrent aphthous ulcers. A preliminary trial. Acta Odontol Scand 1994;52:257-259.

Herlosfson BB, Barkvoll P. The effect of two toothpaste detergents on the frequency of recurrent aphthous ulcers. Acta Odontol Scand 1996;54:150-153.

Palopoli J, Waxman J. Recurrent aphthous stomatitis and vitamin B12 deficiency. South Med J 1990;83:475-477.

Wray D, Ferguson, McLennan, Dagg. Nutritional deficiencies in recurrent aphthae. J Oral Pathol 1978;7:418-423.
Abstract: It was found that of 330 patients with recurrent aphthous ulcers 14% were deficient in iron, folate or Vitamin B12, or a combination of these nutrients. When these deficiencies were corrected, the majority had complete remission.

Wray D. Gluten-sensitive recurrent aphthous stomatitis. Dig Dis Sci 1981;26:737-740.

Wright A, et al. Food allergy or intolerance in severe recurrent aphthous ulceration of the mouth. Br Med J 1986;292:1237.