Posted by : Seth Michaels in (Dental health)
5 Simple Steps to Fewer Canker Sores in 2012
Tagged Under : canker sores, Dental health, health, health care, lists, mouth ulcers, new year, oral health, pain, pain management, self improvement
So we’re a few weeks into 2012 and many of people remain keeping the last shreds of optimism that this yea is gonna be any better than last year. We’ve likely already broken a resolution or two, but that’s fine, because this one just has to get better, right?
Well, I’m not sure about you, but a year with less canker sores would go a long way toward my year being better. So here’s a list of 5 easy actions you can take now that may create a significant difference in your canker sores this year.
1. Quit using SLS toothpaste The Sodium Lauryl Sulfate debate has been something of a hot issue, with many folks saying that choosing SLS-free toothpaste works like a charm and several (like myself) seeing no difference in any way. Even recognized studies completely contradict each other, with some claiming a “statistically significant difference” and some that saw no difference in any way.
So what gives? What does all this mean? To me, it just means that SLS affects some people and doesn’t affect others. The only way to know for yourself is to try it. There are a lot of SLS-free toothpastes to choose from, give one or two a shot this year and see if it makes a difference.
2. Take a combination of B Vitamins and Iron It does not get much simpler than popping a pill or two every day. Supplements have shown to lower canker sores in some folks, and the preferred pills to pop seem to be Vitamin B12, Vitamin B, Iron, Lysine, and Folic Acid.
At the start, I’d suggest B, B12, and/or Iron. Scientific studies have indicated statistical correlation between canker sore affected individuals and B12 and Iron deficiencies, while Vitamin B ended up as the top supplement in the mouthulcers.org survey for prevention of ulcers. While you can alter your eating habits to feature more meats and milk and tuna to get your B12, I would recommend just taking some supplements, that way you can keep a record of exactly just how much you’re taking in and do not have to go out and restock your kitchen.
3. Rinse after you eat Almost without fail, every canker sore begins as a trauma in your mouth. Sometimes it’s you biting the heck out of your cheek, sometimes it’s too small to even see or feel. So it’s important to rinse your mouth out after you eat to clear all the tiny food particles out of your mouth and prevent them from scratching or otherwise irritating the lining of your mouth.
It does not need to be a large production. Just swishing around with water is better than nothing at all. Salt water is a better choice, or you could go all the way and use mouthwash. There are even some canker sore-related mouthwashes you can consider. Just make it a habit. See what type of difference it can make. Can’t hurt!
4. Chill Out! Oh, the stress thing. No matter if you’re the type who swears that your sores are because of anxiety or should you swear it makes no difference, fundamentally, it is always advisable to cut stress out of your life.
It isn’t about reorienting your whole planet (though sometimes that’s not a bad idea), it is simply about taking a bit of time for yourself during the day, whether or not it’s simply closing your eyes and enjoying your favorite song, to lower your stress levels. Take a walk. Participate in a ridiculous hobby. Listen to a meditation podcast for 10 minutes. Have a drink if that’s necessary. Constant stress packs a wallop on your immune system. That means more canker sores plus more illness. You know what makes you feel good. Make it a top priority.
And if you do need to rearrange your life, do it! There’s no time like the present to simplify.
5. Eat more soup I do not spend a lot of time telling people what to eat because I don’t think it’s much of a life if all you can do is munch on leaves. If you remove anything people tell you brings about canker sores, you would not have the ability to eat anything at all. But one thing I do know will cause more canker sores than you can comprehend? Hard foods. If you have RAS and consume a lot of tortilla chips, you may as well be biting on glass.
Just like diabetics must be conscious of a food’s sugar content, you ought to be aware of its hardness when you eat, and steer clear of items that is especially hard and pointed. And if you choose to, for the love of God, rinse your mouth as soon as you’re done, and clear those hard particles out before they rub in a new canker sore.
And that’s it! Five fairly simple small adjustments you can do to commence making a difference to your canker sores. Give it a go and see what happens!
Seth Michaels is a writer and blogger who has dealt with canker sores his whole life. He shares tons of helpful information like this at Cankerboy.com, where you can find more ways to live pain-free.

