Canker Sores-- Sodium Lauryl Sulfate

This isn't an herbal topic, but didn't know what category to put it under. It is based on my personal experiences and may or may not be of use to anyone here.

I suffered from canker sores for many years until I finally "discovered" (suggested by a dental hygienist who also got them), that for me, sodium laurel sulfate was a "potentiator" of the sores.

There are two main types of canker sores (I'm not including oral lesions of herpatic origins here)  Aphthous Major and Apthous minor. Most people are familiar with the minor form.. usually a small (about 1/3 of an inch or smaller) slightly irritating but minimally painful sores.  The major type are a whole different ball game. They are excruciatingly painful, tend to inflame the nerves near them and also cause swollen lymph painful lymph nodes on the affected side of the mouth, chin and jaw. The swollen lymph nodes can cause severe ear aches. The pain makes it hard to talk, to eat, or sometimes to move your tongue or swallow. They can be quite large-- I would consider one a half inch as small. I've had several which have been larger than a quarter in size. At one point, I think I'd tried everything available over the counter. Doctors aren't used to seeing them and I had some pretty wacky diagnosis, as well as very expensive mistreatments.  Most of my sores started with some sort of abrasion to my mouth  (a scrape from a potato chip, crispy cereal was something I didn't dare eat!). Trips to the dentist were a nightmare, not immediately of course, but within about 5 days, things would get stirred up, then it would take another three weeks for the sores to heal. These sores leave horrible scars behind.

Ok, long story short:

I quite using any toothpastes with Sodium lauryl Sulfate, now use biotene. I only use biotene mouthwash. I have a prescription on hand at all times for Triamcinolone Dental Paste (something that most doctors and dentists haven't heard of.... if I have to change providers, I get the information to them, I INSIST on having a prescription of this on hand). IF I start to get a canker sore, I use the dental paste on it. That usually stops it from developing further. Since switching away from SLS, I don't think I've had one sore that has ever been bigger than a nickel.  I've not had one that lasted two full weeks.. and I'm down from a couple a year to once every four or five years! That's a significant improvement.

When I get sores, I do avoid certain foods (because they cause the sore to immediately hurt), Walnuts, avocados... etc.

I hope this helps someone!

I saw that mentioned in another thread about SLS and I decided I was going to switch from using regular toothpaste.

I usually dont get canker sores very often and they are very small if I do get them.

Yes, the Sodium Lauryl compounds also can contribute to dry mouth - nothing like a detergent to zap your mucous membranes.

I bit my lip about a week ago, and started to get a canker sore. Had just read about propolis being useful for canker sores, sprinkled a little powdered propolis on the ulcer, it cleared up within 24 hours.  Here is the story that got me to try that ... in British fashion, they call them mouth ulcers.
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/news/8835696.Medicine_leap_has_university_buzzing/

I have some MMS (miracle mineral solution) from friends that swear by it and will dab some on any cancers we get. I tried it on my son's lip the other day when he was starting to break out in a cold sore and it make it scab over immediately instead of blistering up huge. Pretty powerful stuff.
We're ditching the foamy tooth paste too. Hard to do with the kids, they make it taste like candy so that's all any kid wants to use once they've tried it.

_-~Clinton~-_@$prey wrote:
I saw that mentioned in another thread about SLS and I decided I was going to switch from using regular toothpaste.

I usually dont get canker sores very often and they are very small if I do get them.

Stress, poor diet, and allergic reaction to a particular food are cited as some of the causes of canker sore. Usually, canker sores can go away on its own in a few days to a few weeks. Medicines such as Tylenol can help to mute the pain and allow you to eat without discomfort. Anbesol can also be used as a way on how to get rid of a canker sore.

Suffered with these since childhood.  My triggers are food, stress and oral injuries.  I didn't realize there were different types but I have endured both.

As a child, the treatment received was alum which is wicked. 

As an adult at the GP, I casually asked if any new treatment had been found for canker sores.  My Dr recommended B complex with C. 

I could hug his neck!  I have been on that many years now and find I can eat all the fresh fruits and vegetables now that would previously trigger these canker sores.  The rare one I get is due to an injury (like a bit lip) and is quickly healed by rinsing with plain old Listerine.

Works for me!