How I Discovered a Treatment and a Cure for My Canker Sores

Have you ever had a painful canker sore in your mouth? Did it hurt so bad that you had a hard time eating? Did you want to scream every time you tried a new treatment and it didn't work? Well this was the story of my life for a year and a half - until two months ago. After my pregnancy with my youngest daughter, I begin to get canker sores every month. Sometimes I would get two or three of them in my mouth at a time. I would be afraid to kiss my husband out of fear of him developing one too. I would also hate brushing my teeth or eating anything acidic because of the excruciating pain.

As the monthly occurrences persisted, I decided to figure out what exactly was going on in my mouth. Every oral disease I could think of crossed my mind. I was even afraid that I had mouth cancer at one point. I decided to do my research. I got on the internet one day and went down the list. I discovered that canker sores are more common with women than they are with men. I also discovered that many women get them before, after or during their monthly period because of the sudden changes in hormones. I believed that this explained my monthly occurrence of the tiny red sores. I also learned that they aren't contagious as I had once thought. The more I learned about them, the less I began to be afraid of the sores.

After discovering what they actually were, I begin to research ways to treat them. I needed to know if the occurrences would ever stop or if I could get rid of them within a day or two of an outbreak. One method I discovered was using mouthwash several times per day. I would buy Listerine or Scope. The alcohol in the mouthwash would seem to kill the sore within a day or two. After every swish of mouthwash, my sores would become numb and the pain wouldn't come back for several hours or would completely disappear. I would use the mouthwash continuously before, after and during my monthly menstrual cycle. This seemed to keep them away entirely if I was able to catch them in time.

Although I had discovered a treatment, I still hadn't discovered a cure. I wanted to get rid of them for good. So I did more research. I was amazed to discover that using toothpaste that has the ingredient Sodium Laurel Sulfate can cause an allergic reaction in the mouth and cause canker sores. I also learned that dry mouth could cause canker sores to appear. Dry mouth occurs when the mouth isn't producing as much saliva as it should be.

After my research, I immediately checked my brand of toothpaste for Sodium Laurel Sulfate, and there it was right on the tube. I remember that I had switched to a dollar store brand of toothpaste, and because Colgate made this cheaper brand I decided it would be OK to use. I thought back to when I switched and realized that I had been getting canker sores ever since. I immediately switched my toothpaste to another brand that is actually made for canker sore and dry mouth prevention. This toothpaste is called Biotene and costs about $6 at the grocery store. I was amazed to discover that there was an actual brand of toothpaste that could help make my oral health better just by using it daily. Biotene is unique toothpaste that works like the body's natural defense system in order to fight cavities, periodontal disease and oral infections from dry mouth syndrome. It contains Glucose Oxidase, Lactoperoxidase and Lysozyme, which are three primary enzymes that boost and replenish the mouth's saliva supply. If you use this toothpaste daily, you will have less harmful bacteria in your mouth. After use, your teeth and gums will feel much healthier. Biotene has a very light taste, and I often brush my teeth twice every time to kill off bad breath.

After using Biotene for two months, I no longer experience canker sores. I not only treated my sores but I cured them. If you have canker sores, it is best to try to find the root of the problem. You may be having an allergic reaction or experiencing occurrences from stress or your menstrual cycle. It is a good idea to try the different methods out there. You may even want to speak with your doctor if necessary.

I hope that this article will be of some benefit to you.