Canker Sores
Description
Canker Sores, also known as aphthous stomatitis (AS), are small, painful ulcers that develop on the soft tissues inside the mouth, such as the inner lips, cheeks, and along the gum line. These oval-shaped sores have a white or yellow center surrounded by a red, inflamed border and can cause significant discomfort during activities like eating, drinking, or speaking. Though non-contagious, canker sores can be triggered by factors such as viral infections, accidental mouth injuries, stress, hormonal fluctuations, or deficiencies in key nutrients like vitamins B12, iron, and folate. Maintaining good oral hygiene, managing stress effectively, and ensuring a diet rich in essential vitamins and minerals can reduce the frequency of outbreaks. In cases where canker sores do appear, using mouth rinses, over-the-counter gels, or prescribed topical treatments can help alleviate pain, reduce inflammation, and speed up the healing process, allowing for quicker recovery and reduced discomfort.
Body System
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1. Lysine: Lysine helps reduce the occurrence of canker sores by inhibiting viral replication, particularly the Herpes simplex virus (HSV), which is linked to oral lesion outbreaks. It may also shorten healing time.
2. Vitamin B9 [Folate]: Vitamin B9 (Folate) helps prevent canker sores by addressing deficiencies that may contribute to oral ulcers, supporting tissue health and overall oral well-being.
3. Vitamin B12 Vitamin B12 plays a vital role in preventing canker sores by supporting the immune system and maintaining healthy oral tissues, reducing the likelihood of recurrent sores.
4. Iron: Iron deficiency can lead to oral ulcers and canker sores. Ensuring sufficient iron levels supports red blood cell production and promotes oral health.
5. Zinc: Zinc supports immune function and helps prevent mouth ulcers by combating bacteria and maintaining oral tissue health, making it essential for reducing canker sores.
6. Vitamin C: Vitamin C supports collagen production and wound healing, promoting faster recovery from canker sores while boosting immune function to prevent future outbreaks.
7. Vitamin D: Vitamin D supports immune health and maintains the integrity of oral mucosa, helping reduce the frequency of canker sores and promoting overall oral wellness.
8. Probiotics: Probiotics balance the oral microbiome and support immune function, helping to reduce the recurrence of canker sores and promote oral tissue health.
1. Licorice Root Extract: Licorice root, with glycyrrhizin, reduces pain and inflammation from canker sores due to its anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties, promoting faster healing and improved oral health.
2. Chamomile Extract: Chamomile soothes irritated tissues and reduces inflammation, supporting faster healing of canker sores and promoting oral comfort.
3. Aloe Vera Juice: Aloe vera’s anti-inflammatory properties soothe pain and promote faster healing of canker sores, supporting overall oral health.
4. Sage Extract: Sage’s antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties relieve pain and promote faster healing, making it effective for canker sore relief and oral health.
1. Coconut Oil: Coconut oil’s antimicrobial properties help heal canker sores by reducing bacterial load and promoting faster recovery, enhancing oral comfort.
2. Apple Cider Vinegar: Apple cider vinegar, based on anecdotal evidence, may promote healing and reduce discomfort from canker sores by creating an unfavorable environment for pathogens.
3. Sodium Bicarbonate: Sodium bicarbonate mixed with water may provide pain relief for canker sores by neutralizing acidity and soothing oral lesions, according to anecdotal evidence.
4. Honey: Honey’s antimicrobial and wound-healing properties reduce pain and accelerate tissue repair, promoting faster recovery from canker sores.
1. Oil Pulling: Oil pulling with coconut oil may help heal canker sores by reducing bacterial load and promoting oral hygiene, offering relief from discomfort, based on anecdotal evidence.
3. Ayurveda: Ayurvedic treatments, using herbs like licorice and turmeric, may promote healing and relieve pain from canker sores by reducing inflammation and soothing oral tissues, offering a holistic approach to oral health.
Supplements
Plant Extracts
Natural Compounds
Alternative Treatments
Symptoms & Signs
Causes
Trauma to the Tissues of the Mouth, Allergies, Nutrient Deficiencies, Gluten Sensitivity, Stress, Poor Dental Hygiene
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How Nutrients Function
Amino Acids: Amino acids serve as the building blocks of proteins, crucial for muscle growth and repair. Additionally, they play key roles in maintaining proper pH levels, storing nitrogen, synthesizing hormones, and facilitating enzymatic reactions.
Herbal Extracts: Herbal extracts contain bioactive compounds with various medicinal properties, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial effects. They have been used traditionally to support digestion, immunity, and overall health.
Minerals: Minerals are essential for various physiological functions, including bone health, nerve transmission, and enzyme activity. They support overall health by ensuring proper cellular function and metabolic processes.
Other Nutrients: Other nutrients encompass a wide array of essential compounds crucial for various physiological functions. This category includes neurotransmitters and their precursors, which facilitate nerve signaling and are vital for central nervous system function. Additionally, naturally occurring structural components and biological detergents, such as phospholipids and bile salts, play critical roles in tissue repair, fat digestion, and overall bodily function. Phospholipids contribute to cell membrane integrity and fat emulsification, while bile salts are key to digesting and absorbing dietary fats. Hormones and their precursors regulate numerous physiological processes, including metabolism, growth, and reproduction. Furthermore, naturally occurring chemicals and metals play pivotal roles in enzymatic reactions, immune function, and overall health maintenance.
Probiotics: Probiotics are live microorganisms that confer health benefits when consumed. They support gut health, immune function, and oral hygiene by promoting the growth of beneficial bacteria and inhibiting the growth of harmful pathogens.
Vitamins: Vitamins are essential micronutrients that play diverse roles in supporting cellular processes, immune function, and overall health. They must be obtained through diet or supplementation to ensure proper bodily function.
Nutrients Explained In Nutritional Guide
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Educational Videos To Learn From
Functional Lab Tests That You Might Consider
References
Things To Do
The dietary recommendations for preventing and healing canker sores include:
a balanced, whole-foods-based diet rich in vegetables, fruit, protein, and fatty acids to prevent nutritional deficiencies.
consuming onions and garlic because they contain healing sulfur.
foods rich in vitamin B12, such as meats, fish and shellfish, eggs, and dairy products.
foods high in iron, such as organ meats, eggs, fish, shellfish, leafy greens, legumes, and seeds.
foods containing zinc, such as shellfish, red meat, legumes, dairy, and nuts.
foods containing lysine [an amino acid], which helps the absorption of zinc and iron. It can be found in meats, fish, eggs, legumes, etc.
consume anti-inflammatory whole foods.
drinking enough fluids, such as water and herbal teas.
non-abrasive and soft foods such as soups, smoothies [watch out for acidic fruits], nut butters, etc.
cooking foods so that they become soft and easy to chew, such as well-done vegetables, etc.
Take small bites and chew them thoroughly.
Other recommendations include:
Be careful when brushing your teeth not to irritate your canker sore.
If you wear braces, make sure to protect the tissues of your mouth from painful rubbing against the metal elements.
Use mouthwashes for oral hygiene.
Try using hydrogen peroxide to speed up healing. Mix one tablespoon in a glass of water and rinse your mouth.
being deliberate and mindful about how we eat and the products we use to care for our oral cavity. Mindful eating, chewing, and brushing are essential, as are oral hygiene products that meet our needs and do not irritate.
Things To Avoid
There are numerous foods and factors that can contribute to the development of canker sores as well as aggravate their symptoms. If you have single or multiple canker sores, be sure to:
Avoid acidic foods, such as citrus fruits, strawberries, tomatoes, etc. The acids in these foods can irritate the tissues of the mouth and induce the development of canker sores.
Similarily, avoid coffee, alcohol, fruit juices, and other acidic drinks and beverages.
Eliminate foods you are sensitive to or have an allergy to. The most common allergens are gluten, nuts, dairy, shellfish, etc.
spicy foods, which can irritate the tissues of the mouth.
Sugar and artificial sweeteners in both foods and beverages lead to inflammation and alter the oral pH to an acidic state.
salty foods, such as chips, salted nuts, crackers, pretzels, et cetera. They can also irritate the soft tissues.
Avoid food additives, colorants, and flavorings.
Other things to watch out for include:
SLS in cosmetics and oral hygiene products
smoking, which irritates the tissues of the mouth and extends the healing process.
Chewing gum can also irritate the soft tissues of the mouth.
Stress and a lack of quality sleep decrease immune function.