Other Names:
Aphthous Ulcers

Symptoms:
Small oval or round white ulcers that can be very painful. They appear on the tongue, gums, inner or outer lips, or on the insides of the cheeks.

At first it appears as a red, warm spot, which then ulcerates and has a yellowish border. Next, a yellowish mixture of fluid, bacteria, and white blood cells is seen. There is often burning or tingling at the place.

Canker sores are different in appearance than cold sores, in that canker sores do not form blisters.

Cause:
The Greek word, aphthae, means "to set on fire." Allergies, stress, vitamin deficiencies, endocrine imbalance, and viral infections are considered to be possible causes.

You are more likely to have them if your parents had them. They generally do not begin appearing till the age of 20, and occur equally among men and women. Older people have them less frequently. Canker sores generally heal by themselves within a week or two. It is said that as much of 40% of the adult population experiences them. Some people seem to have one after the other. People with Crohn's Disease (an illness of the bowels) are more likely to have them. Vaccines and antibiotics may cause them.

Treatment:
• Goldenseal powder or a moistened goldenseal tea bag applied over the ulcer is one of best treatments. It may also bring relief of the pain.

• Wash your mouth with plain hot water, to draw healing blood and help relieve pain. This is a simple hydrotherapy treatment.

• Squeeze vitamin E oil on the sore several times a day.

• As soon as the first tingle is felt, take 500 mg of Vitamin C with bioflavonoids, 3 times a day, for 3 days.

Prevention:
• Careful thought will teach you things you do which tend to cause them. This might include mouthwashes, citrus fruit, coffee, or certain other foods—especially sharp, highly seasoned, or tart foods. Do not smoke or chew snuff!

• Onions help reduce their number; include them in your food preparation. Lysine, vitamin B12, and folic acid help also.

• Do not eat meat for two weeks. Meat increases body acidity. Stop eating it entirely, and you are less likely to have canker sores.

• Avoid sugar and processed foods. Citrus fruit cause them in some people.

• Avoid physical damage to the area immediately in, and around, the mouth. Avoid sharp foods, such as peanut brittle. Use a soft toothbrush with no toothpaste.

• Try not to bite the tongue or cheek. Do not talk or turn your head while chewing.

• A hair analysis will help you determine your mineral and pH balance. Maintaining a proper balance can help you avoid canker sores.

• In the Midwest, they put a little earwax on the sore to help heal it.

• If you have repeated attacks of canker sores, something is wrong. With careful checking, you should be able to find it. For example, with some people, it is simply a matter of not overeating on sweet foods, even naturally sweet fruit.

• Beware! If you have a mouth sore which does not heal, see a dentist. There are certain other diseases which first appear somewhat like canker or cold sores—yet which are much more dangerous.