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