The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
L-Lysine
Posted by Bill (Orem, UT) on 05/28/2008
★★★★★
I've had massive dime-sized canker sores for years and had tried just about everything by the time I had finally found this website. I tried the recommended L-Lysine tablets 2 times a day (morning and evening) and have been doing so for about 6 months now. I am happy to say I have finally found the cure for canker sores, trust me, L-Lysine works! I never get canker sores anymore.
Cloves
Posted by Chriswar666 (25 Y/o) (Rio De Janeiro, Brasil) on 01/27/2010
★★★★★
Cloves also worked for me, at least in eliminating the pain. I got one whole and chewed it, alleviated for a while (half an hour or more). I don't get ulcers that often, so I can't judge if it helped speed the healing, but it definitely helped the pain! Ginger also has the same effect :)
Baking Soda
Posted by Tania (Mercier, Quebec, Canada) on 03/10/2008
★★★★★
Baking soda cured my canker sore within 24 hours. I had major pain on the side of my tongue to find a canker sore it was so sore I couldn't hardly swallow. I took 1tsp of baking soda and 1 tsp of water and kept it in my mouth as long as possible. I did this 3 times within an hour went to bed and did the same the next morning by dinner time the canker sore was gone! Thank you for this site its a great help.
Toothpaste Without Sls
Posted by Randi (LA, CA) on 02/07/2008
★★★★★
I suffered from the time I was a child. My mother has the same and now my kids also suffer. about 5 years ago my Dentist told me about recent findings on the link between Sodium Lauryl Sulfite and canker sores. This is a preservative found in almost ALL name brand toothpastes including some of the natural ones. I started using a SLS free Toothpaste and now I get one maybe once or twice per year (and that is usually if my hubby has brushed right before I kiss him). One brand I use is called ____. Very expensive, but worth it. You must be loyal and never use any toothpastes or mouthwashes with S.L. Sulfite. Good Luck
Flax Seed Oil
Posted by Jennifer (Northern, Idaho) on 01/28/2008
★★★★★
I was having chronic canker sores, usually 3 at a time. I tried everything I'd ever heard of with little success. I started taking Omega 3 in the form of flax seed oil for general health reasons. Within a week or so my sores were gone and I haven't had one since. I alternate between flax oil capsules (6 a day), ground flax seeds (2 tablespoons) and eating about 1/4 cup of walnuts.
Flax Seed Oil
Posted by Mary (New York, NY) on 06/30/2008
★★★★★
Many thanks to Jennifer from Northern Idaho. I tried the flax seed oil capsules and my canker sores have not appeared since. I had taken lysine capsules for two years when one day the canker sores reappeared. The flaxseed capsules have worked beautifully. Highly recommended.
Avoid Milk
Posted by Chris (Clifton Park, Ny, 12065) on 12/06/2007
★★★★★
For most of my life I was a regular (and during my younger years) heavy drinker of cow's milk. I suffered from horrible canker sores (3-4 at a time, each a half inch or longer) my whole life, right up until approximately 6 years ago when I eliminated milk from my diet. For me, it seems to only be related to the liquid form: I don't seem to have problems with cheese or even ice cream. However, a couple of times I've tried introducing milk again by having it on my cereal in the morning -- after about three days, I got a canker sore. Upon again stopping ingestion of milk -- no more canker sores. I was diagnosed when younger with an allergy to milk, and I wonder if this is related. I'm convinced science will catch up with this theory eventually and it will be shown that canker sores are closely related to allergies. Anyways, if you suffer from canker sores, try eliminating milk from your diet for 30 days and see what happens; I bet you'll be glad you did!
Baking Soda
Posted by Heather (Boston, MA) on 11/15/2007
★★★★★
Thank Goodness I found this page. I started with two small canker sores a week after my flu shot. I hardly ever have a canker. So, I used Ambesol Max Strength. It burned, numbed, but things got much worse today. Almost two inch long canker on the side edge of my tongue. And three more scattered on my inner front and side lips. I rinsed with the pure apple cidar vineger. It didn't releave the pain. So I tried the baking soda paste. The paste started to tone down the pain. I was at a 10 most of the day. After the baking soda treatment, I am currently down to a 4. maybe less.ahhhhhh
Baking Soda
Posted by Heather (Van Nuys, CA) on 11/14/2007
★★★★★
I ran a quick search over the weekend on treatments for chronic canker sores on behalf of my boyfriend who has suffered these painful occurrences since childhood. I came across this site and he decided to try the baking soda paste. It stung at first, but it helped him heal within five days and he's so happy to have found this treatment. Thanks.
Green Tea
Posted by Steve (Milwaukee, Wisconsin) on 04/01/2007
★★★★★
For ALL of my adult life, I've been plagued by horrible outbreaks of canker sores, typically 2-3 very large sores at any given time. Six months ago I began drinking green tea daily as a substitute for soda. To my amazement, my canker sores disappeared and did not return. Green tea was the only dietary change I made (I still drink soda, just not as much). In addition, occasionally I will not have green tea for about a week, and soon enough the canker sores return.
I am not the type of person who really believes in folk or herbal remedies, but after discovering accidentally that green tea elminated my chronic canker sores, I am a believer in at least the health properties of green tea. I really cannot express what an improvement in quality of life this is for me and likely other chronic canker sore sufferers, so spread the word!
Hydrogen Peroxide
Posted by Lee (Salem, NH) on 03/17/2007
★★★★★
I have always used hydrogen peroxide for skin infections, insect bites, cankers, cold sores & deleting blood stains. Results are quick & inexpensive. I dab it on my finger, straight from the bottle, to apply to a cold sore or canker. I have never had a cold sore for more than a day. When I was a teenager, I also applied some to any pimples that might crop up.
Baking Soda
Posted by John (Harfod, WI) on 12/01/2006
★★★★★
Whenever I get a canker sore, I pack some baking soda on it. If it does not go away in an hour or two, I re-apply it when I notice the sore still there. Some times it takes a few more aps.Usually, gone the same day. Sometimes, i'll pack the soda on right before bed. no canker in the morning. It works every time for me. A final note: It does sting for about a minute when applied. The stinging stops, even though the baking soda is still packed on the sore. Good luck, hope it works for you too.
Green Tea
Posted by Mike (Gainesville, FL) on 07/16/2006
★★★★★
I noticed my relatively new habit of drinking green tea is drastically affecting the frequency at which canker sores appear in my mouth. They now seem to form only in the upper part of my mouth. Swishing tea on the sore greatly reduces the time it takes (24-36 hours) for it to heal. It's amazing to find this out after years of dealing with them.
Hydrogen Peroxide
Posted by Anonymous (USA) on 06/27/2006
★★★★★
Take one capful of H202 and hold in your mouth for 10 minutes daily, then spit it out. No more canker sores and your teeth will be whiter without expensive pastes.
L-Lysine
Posted by Maya (Ft Leavenworth) on 11/19/2005
★★★★★
My daughter and I would get canker scores often, until a friend told me about Lysine. We both take one a day, and if ever one starts to appear, then take 2 pills and the scores are gone. I told a great friend who had very dry lips and the lysine has worked for her as well! Love it! The pain is gone!
Hydrogen Peroxide
Posted by Amanda (McKinney, TC) on 11/18/2005
★★★★★
hydrogen peroxide, swish it around in your mouth or dip a q-tip in it and place it on the canker sore..it will be gone in a few days!!
L-Lysine
Posted by Thesa (Colorado Springs) on 11/15/2005
★★★★★
My 5 year old daughter came down with a horribly serious case of canker sores. Her mouth had several sores on her tongue, cheek, and gums. Her gums were so red and swollen you could barely see her little teeth. Her breath was absolutely terrible and she barely ate or drank a thing. Finally after a week of different attempts, we had her gargle with 6 drops of tea tree oil in 4 oz. of water three times a day, gave her half an adult dose of L-lysine crushed up into water once a day, gave her a homeopathic every hour and had her drink 16 oz. of water with acidophilus/FOS throughout the day. We kept her completely off of sugar, dairy and meat and mostly she ate cottage cheese and plain yogurt. Within one day she was so much better and finally eating and within 3 days totally better!
