Canker Sores

The medical term is apthous ulcers. These annoying ulcers occur on the inside of the mouth and are different from "cold sores", which are on the outside of the mouth.  Cold sores are due to Herpes Simplex virus, whereas apthous ulcers are not viral. Apthous/canker sores often happen where you bite the inside of your mouth as a triggering event. 

Online you may find L-lysine as a recommendation. While this certainly can't hurt, the idea stems from its use in viral cold sores and then confusing canker sores with cold sores.

Dr. Eads' recommendations: 

1) Folic acid or 5-methyl Folate. 

Since canker sores are recurring and afflict people most of their life, prevention is the key.  We find that daily folic acid of at least 5 mg a day (ideally 20 mg daily) or methyl-folate of 15 to 20 mg a day gives the best chance for success. 

Please take folic acid or methyl folate daily and not just during episodes.

2) Glutamine powder. 

Once again, this is preventative. One tablespoon, in the mouth, followed by water and swallowed twice daily.  Glutamine is tasteless and easy to ingest if done this way. 

3) Use a toothpaste that doesn't have sodium lauryl sulfate.

4) For acute episodes (and prevention!) use a mouthwash that contains hydrogen peroxide in it to keep staph aureus and strep counts low in the mouth.  We usually recommend Peroxyl mouthwash.