Canker Sores.. ouch!!!

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

I have suffered from canker sores since I was about 6 years old. And I am not talking about one here or there.. im talking about large ulcers in my mouth that have actually left scars on my tongue, usually 5 and 6 throughout my mouth at a time.... to the point where my eyes teared up to speak. I think they are stress induced for me.. along with when I bite my tongue etc.

I recently came across a patient who was suffering from canker sores and she was having a difficult time eating and talking... I am just trying to think of anything else that could help her along with the regular good oral care, using a straw etc.

I usually just put the baby ambesol on my canker sore.. it kind of numbs it.. for about 30 mins.. and it is amazing.. but again it is such a short amount of time and not really realistic for my patient. Also regular Listerine and Salt Water rinses she found did not work..

We have tried giving her Ibuprofen ... it seems to help a bit... but i think we could do better.

Just wondering what everyone else does for canker sores! :)

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Specializes in NICU.

Ask the doc for some Kenalog cream (Triamcinolone Acetonide 0,1%-dental paste) It creates a thin film over the area and slightly numbs it. It may be tough to get on at first-you have to kind of air dry the ulcer and then dab it on-not smear. There's also a prescription "magic mouthwash" It is Benedryl, Lidocaine and Milk of Mag blended-not sure of the amounts but you might could check with a pharmacist. This doesn't create the film but it does numb and help heal the ulcers.

Good luck!

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Specializes in NICU.

Another thing, Listerine is extremely caustic on an existing sore! Best thing to use if trying to soothe a sore (and no prescription) is the milk of mag and just rinse it around. I've also heard of the "old wives trick" of putting Alum (its a pickling spice) directly on a sore-not sure about this, heard it burns like crazy but that it heals the sores quicker!

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Specializes in none as of to date.

simular to what preemie has said, you could try baking soda. It hurts, but it does work..it truely speeds up the healing time!

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Specializes in LDRP.

I have had problems with canker sores in the past as well. They're not as bad as yours sound, but they can be quite painful.

What didn't work for me:

Listerine. What's odd is that it would provide me with some relief for about 20 minutes or so, but I think overall, it made my canker sore worse and last longer.

What has worked for me:

Swishing a mixture of half hydrogen peroxide and half water in my mouth for about a minute after every time I brushed my teeth. The canker sore still lasted for a few days, but I could tell that it helped better than Listerine and topical medication I applied (can't remember the name, not Orajel, but something similar to it...)

What I've heard works:

I haven't used this method, but I've heard that swishing a mixture of half milk of magnesia and half liquid Benadryl (Diphenhydramine) for a minute a few times a day can be helpful. Just be careful not to swallow it!

For prevention, I've heard that you should use a toothpaste that doesn't contain sodium lauryl sulfate, as this can irritate the tissues inside your mouth. Try something like Tom's of Maine Toothpaste.

I hope you find a method that works! Feel better!

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Specializes in Pedatrics, Child Protection.

Baking soda. Works every time :o)

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Specializes in Med/Surg.

I got canker sores all the time until switching to a Sodium lauryl sulfate free tooth paste such as Tom's Toothpaste. Now a very rarely get cankers. I hope this helps.

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Specializes in PACU, CARDIAC ICU, TRAUMA, SICU, LTC.

After undergoing mandibular osteotomies some years ago, I had a mouth full of canker sores from the wires anchoring my jaw closed. My oral surgeon gave me Chlorhexidine mouth wash that stung like hell but helped. I also used Zilactin that I purchased in the pharmacy that was life-saving. It is an OTC med; comes in a small tube.

Hope you feel better. I hate thinking about it! :crying2:

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Specializes in PICU.

Debacterol. It is new and gets rid of canker sores. Before there were really only things to deal with pain temporarily but not a whole lot to get rid of them. I get canker sores along with cold sores. Usually stress related or indicating I'm getting sick (some break in immune system). Had a couple recently that were very large and were not getting smaller after a week and a half. I called my dentist and she had me come in and she told me she had a new medicine. It basically chemically cauterizes the site. Stings like heck but 4 hours later I didn't feel them anymore and I was eating and drinking without pain. I think they totally healed within 3 days but again I had no pain as they healed. I was able to buy a couple more of the treatments and I have used them at home since.

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Specializes in PICU.

Also, L-lyseine is supposed to be good to take daily for oral health. You can get it in the vitamin section of any store.

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Specializes in Mental Health.

My son had major canker sores with his braces and I used Alum on them after he brushed. By the next day they were pain free and heal up about as fast! It is very bitter tasting but it does work! Best of luck!:)

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My two sons had problems for years. We changed to a Sodium lauryl sulfate-free toothpaste and they took L-Lysine if they felt one coming on. They didn't need the L-Lysine after several months of using the SLS-free toothpaste. It's been wonderful!

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