I've got some stubborn canker sores I just can't seem to get rid of. I get them every now and then usually because of stress. I've tried different methods in the past to get rid of them, but I'm curious to know what other people do and how long they take to heal. Basically I just use orajel or kank-aid to numb the spot, but that's only for pain. I searched and saw joe#'s thread from last year (message_topic.aspx?topic=504112), and there's some useful information in there, but I would like a more up-to-date (Lounge) response. Here's what I've tried in the past...

1. Salt water rinses. As often as I could, more than 3xs daily.
2. Duke's magic mouthwash. Swish 1 min 6 times a day.
3. Rinse with Listerine. Burns like hell, makes them bleed, seems to do nothing.
4. Orajel mouthwash with hydrogen peroxide. Foams all up, seems to clean the sores, numbs a little, doesn't heal.
5. Salt paste. Mix salt and a couple drops of water, rub directly on sore with q-tip. painful and didn't work.
6. Lysine. I have tablets (500mg, I think) I take when I notice a canker sore forming, but by then it's usually too late. Some people swear Lysine makes them go away faster... I haven't had much luck with it.

Someone recommended rock alum as a cure. I've only heard of it in a powder, and it's used for pickling recipes as a preservative. You apply it directly to the sore and it apparently dries up to a pinhole size which can heal in about a day. I've been trying to find some of that, but I don't know how healthy it is to stick aluminum potassium sulfate into a mouth sore.


I really appreciate any helpful responses. Please do not just post a bunch of internet links in this thread. I've probably read everything on the internet about canker sores already. I would prefer home remedies that you have tested and can recommend from personal experience. Thanks.

7/7/2008 5:29:00 PM

gargle salt water?

Quote :

"Duke's magic mouthwash."

LOL...

[Edited on July 7, 2008 at 5:37 PM. Reason : d]

7/7/2008 5:36:45 PM

Quote :

"but I would like a more up-to-date (Lounge) response."

there haven't been significant improvements in the remedies in the past year...

7/7/2008 5:39:33 PM