Digestive Wellness: Strengthen the Immune System and Prevent Disease Through Healthy Digestion, Fourth Edition (79 page)

Mouth sores are common. Most of us have experienced mouth ulcers, canker sores, or cold sores, but some have chronic problems. Usually found inside the mouth, canker sores, called aphthous stomatitis or aphthous ulcers, are the result of poor intestinal flora, food sensitivities or allergies, stress, hormonal changes, and nutritional deficiencies. High-sugar and high-acid foods, such as pineapples, citrus, and tomatoes, sometimes trigger canker sores.

If you have recurring canker sores, thoroughly investigate the possibility of food sensitivities. Also, make sure your toothpaste, mouthwash, and floss aren’t causing the problem. A study showed that use of Piroxicam, an NSAID, caused mouth ulcers
that resolved when the patient was taken off the medication. If you have mouth sores that don’t resolve after several weeks, let your doctor or dentist examine you.

Investigate allergies and sensitivities.
Cigarettes, toothpaste, mouthwash, and flavored dental floss can cause irritation. Make sure they are not the source of your problem. Food sensitivities often are. Rule them out carefully with an elimination-provocation diet or food allergy or sensitivity blood testing.

Try a probiotic supplement.
Lactobacillus acidophilus is often beneficial in prevention and treatment of canker sores. Take capsules or powdered probiotic supplement as directed on the label. Products vary in dosage.

Take B-complex vitamins.
Deficiencies in vitamins B
₁
, B
₂
, B
₆
, B
₁₂
, and folic acid have been associated with recurrent canker sores. People with B-complex deficiencies showed significant improvement of mouth ulcers during three months of supplementation with B-complex vitamins.

Consider gluten sensitivity.
Gluten is a protein fraction found in wheat, rye, spelt, barley, and oats. A considerable amount of research has been done on the connection between gluten intolerance and mouth ulcers because people with celiac disease (also called sprue) often have recurring mouth sores. About 25 percent of people with chronic canker sores have elevated antibodies to gluten, which indicates a specific sensitivity. When they avoid gluten-containing grains, their mouth sores go away.

Address iron-deficiency anemia.
Iron deficiency is associated with canker sores. If you get recurrent canker sores and are anemic, you may respond to iron supplementation. People who are not anemic will not benefit. Ask your physician to test you for anemia. Take 30 to 75 mg of elemental iron daily. Because iron tends to be constipating, a slow-release iron, like Feosol or generic equivalents, may be helpful. Floradix, an herbal iron supplement, is gentle and works well. Cooking in cast-iron pots and pans is another way to gain iron from your diet.

Practice stress-management skills.
Ask yourself if stress plays a significant role in your canker sores. If so, work on your stress-management skills.

Take zinc.
Zinc deficiencies have been linked to mouth ulcers. Zinc plays an important role in healing wounds and immune system function. In one study, zinc supplementation helped heal canker sores 81 percent of the time in people with low zinc levels or a low zinc-to-copper ratio.

Use ice.
Ice compresses dry up canker sores quickly. Apply ice directly to the sore for either 45 minutes once a day or for 5 minutes several times a day. You’ll still have a scab that needs to heal, but the sores won’t be painful.

Try licorice root.
Licorice root is soothing to the mucous membranes of the digestive tract, and chewable licorice can help reduce inflammation and pain from mouth ulcers. Licorice promotes healing of mucous membranes by stimulating production of healing prostaglandins. Just be sure to buy deglycyrrhized licorice (DGL), which means it has had the glycyrrhizins removed. Glycyrrhizins can raise blood pressure and lower serum potassium levels. Chew two licorice tablets between meals as needed up to four times daily, or eat real licorice, such as Panda brand. Most licorice is made with anise, not licorice.

Try myrrh.
Myrrh is an herb that has been used since biblical times to soothe mucous membranes. It has antiseptic properties and can be used in a variety of ways. Chewing gum with myrrh can be temporarily soothing, and a glycerin tincture can be used topically to soothe the sores. It can be combined with the herb goldenseal in tea, paste, or tincture.