| Canker sores are little white ulcers with red | | | | beef, tofu and fortified cereals are good |
| borders in the mouth. They infect the tongue, | | | | sources of iron and meat and seafood are good |
| cheeks or inside of the cheeks. Some people | | | | for vitamin B. |
| suffer from them quite frequently while the | | | | |
| others get them rarely. It infects some | | | | • Use peroxide for gargling: Make a |
| people for some days while the others have to | | | | solution of three parts of water and one part |
| suffer them for days. There are no known | | | | hydrogen peroxide. Gargle with this solution |
| causes of these sores. But heredity can be | | | | or swish it around in your mouth several |
| one of the causes. They are annoying but are | | | | times a day. It will change the pH of the |
| not fatal. If you follow some simple tips, | | | | saliva and make it difficult for the bacteria |
| you can cut short the infection by 10 - 15 | | | | causing canker sores to survive. |
| days. | | | | |
| | | | • Use over-the-counter remedy: There |
| Follow the simple tips given below to treat | | | | are some over-the-counter remedies that you |
| yourself from these lesions: | | | | can apply directly to the canker sores. They |
| | | | are sticky substances and will stop the pain |
| • Eat yogurt daily: Have at least five | | | | and promote healing. There are also some |
| teaspoons of unflavoured yogurt daily. This | | | | medicated gels and liquids that will help in |
| will help in preventing canker sores in some | | | | easing the pain caused by canker sores. |
| people. | | | | |
| | | | • Stay away from sharp or spicy foods: |
| • Take Vitamin C: Vitamin C has been | | | | It is highly advisable to avoid foods that |
| proved to be very effective at preventing or | | | | are spicy or salty as they increase the pain |
| treating canker sores. It has been shown to | | | | caused by the sores. Also avoid foods with |
| help people who smoke and drink a lot and are | | | | sharp edges like potato chips as they can |
| under a lot of stress. The smokers, the | | | | rupture the skin and cause sores. Limit |
| alcoholics and people under stress are more | | | | citrus fruits, strawberries, cheese, coffee, |
| prone to canker sores. Five hundred | | | | nuts and chocolates if you have the tendency |
| milligrams a day is the recommended dosage | | | | to suffer from canker sores. |
| but it is advisable to consult the doctor | | | | |
| before taking any supplements. Choose | | | | • Rub away your pain with a teabag: |
| broccoli, red bell pepper cantaloupe and | | | | Rubbing a wet teabag over the sore part will |
| cranberry juice for additional intake of | | | | help ease the pain caused by the sore. Black |
| vitamin C. However stop taking these foods | | | | tea contains tannin which is an astringent |
| once you have the sores because the acids in | | | | having powerful pain-relieving qualities. If |
| these foods will irritate the lesions. | | | | you prefer herbal teas, go for chamomile tea, |
| | | | which cools down the infected skin. |
| • Add some vitamin E: Add some vitamin | | | | |
| E: Squeeze some oil from the Vitamin E | | | | • Use ice: Apply ice on the sore skin |
| capsule on your canker sore and relieve the | | | | to reduce pain and swelling. |
| pain. | | | | |
| | | | • Use antacid: Swish a tablespoon of |
| • Improve your diet: Research has shown | | | | antacid or milk of magnesia around the mouth |
| that people with canker sores are deficient | | | | to cover the sore. But you have to use this |
| in folate, iron and vitamin B. You can treat | | | | technique only if your ulcer is not infected. |
| or prevent canker sores by increasing these | | | | When you use the same technique on the |
| nutrients in your diet. Peas, beans and | | | | infected ulcer, you will protect the bacteria |
| lentils provide a good amount of folate; lean | | | | causing infection. |