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