Canker sores, or mouth sores, are literally a pain to have. It is difficult to talk, eat, drink, or even sing. Almost everyone has an occasional canker sore. But chronic sores can affect the quality of our life. They may also be a serious sign of future problems. They always indicate that our bodies are too acidic. One study found that the risk of esophageal cancer was seven times greater in individuals with a history of canker sores. Canker sores may be an indicator of a high conversion of nitrites to carcinogenic nitrosamines, which means cancer-forming.

The canker sores may be an allergic reaction to certain foods. There is research suggesting that canker sores may be caused by a faulty immune system that uses the body's defenses against disease to attack and destroy the normal cells of the mouth or tongue.

In a small percentage of patients, canker sores occur with gastrointestinal problems, such as an inability to digest certain foods. (My grandmother always said that sores in the mouth indicated sores in the stomach.)

Female sex hormones may play a role in causing canker sores. Many women have bouts of the sores only during certain phases of their menstrual cycles. Most women experience improvement or remission of their canker sores during pregnancy. One of my patients was able to trace her mouth sores to a change in her birth control pills.

There are several things that can be done if canker sores become a chronic problem. Always try home remedies first. Listed below are some of the most common things to try and issues to look at.

1) An easy home remedy is to apply hydrogen peroxide (1 part hydrogen peroxide and one part water) to the canker sore with a cotton swab. Then dab a small amount of milk of magnesia on the canker 3-4 times a day. This is appears to help healing. Canker sores are acidic and milk of magnesia is alkaline.

2) You can also rinse your mouth with ½ hot water with one teaspoon of salt and baking soda.

3) Eat a soft, bland diet to avoid irritating the sores and surrounding sensitive areas. Alkaline foods such as fresh vegetables are healing. Avoid acidic and spicy foods.

4) You may need to change your toothpaste. Sodium lauryl sulfate ("SLS"), a foaming agent found in most toothpaste and mouthwash formulations, can cause or irritate canker sores.

5) Take garlic 2-3 times/day. Garlic is a natural antiseptic and has many anti-viral properties.

6) Take a vitamin E capsule, poke a hole in it and then rub the liquid directly on the sore. Do three times a day until the sore heals.

7) Rinse your mouth with antibacterial mouth rinses (such as Listerine). This may help heal and reduce the pain.

8) Swishing a teaspoonful of Milk of Magnesia and Benadryl Allergy liquid (diphenhydramine) mixed 50:50 over the canker sores (and then spitting this mixture out) four to six times a day.

9) Some doctors suggest applying wet black tea bags to the sore. Black tea contains tannin, an astringent that can help relieve pain.

10) Sucking on zinc lozenges, taking vitamin C or vitamin B complex, using a sage-and-chamomile mouthwash or taking a lysine supplement may help canker cores heal faster.

The following dietary issues should be considered: