Canker sores, also called aphthous ulcers, are painful sores on the inside of the mouth or the tongue. They are different from cold sores. For one thing, they don’t appear to be caused by a virus as cold sores are. For another, they occur inside the mouth rather than on the lips. Probably everyone has had a canker sore from time to time. Usually these only last a week or so. Some people suffer recurrent canker sores that they can’t seem to kick. Could toothpaste be the culprit?
Toothpaste and Recurrent Canker Sores:
Q. I get canker sores all the time and do not know where they are coming from. One person who wrote to you suggested that toothpaste could be contributing to the problem. Is there a toothpaste that would not cause me so much grief?
A. Many readers tell us that when they eliminate toothpaste containing sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), their canker sores disappear. This foaming agent has even been studied. A review in the Journal of Oral Pathology & Medicine (May 2019) found that toothpaste without SLS was less likely to trigger painful lesions in susceptible individuals. You’ll need to read the labels carefully to find one free of SLS.
Avoiding Toothpaste with Tartar Control:
Q. I have had trouble with recurrent canker sores for years. I finally figured out that avoiding toothpaste with tartar control or whitening agents keeps me out of trouble.
A. The medical literature is surprisingly sparse when it comes to whether tartar control or whitening compounds contribute to aphthous ulcers (canker sores). There is a popular belief that the detergent sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) can trigger such lesions. As we mentioned above, there is some evidence to support that opinion. A review of the research found that some people with recurrent canker sores may benefit from SLS-free toothpaste (American Journal of Dentistry, April 2022).
Other visitors to this website, including a dental hygienist, have suggested from their experience that whitening or tartar control toothpastes may be especially irritating. They have found that using Biotene or Weleda brand dentifrice can be helpful. Others simply clean their teeth with baking soda.
Healing Canker Sores with Home Remedies:
Home remedies that might be helpful for canker sores include applying the gel from an aloe vera leaf or licorice extract in a patch. Eating sauerkraut and swishing the juice around in the mouth frequently seem to speed healing. Eating kiwi fruit is another favorite remedy, as is swishing a swallow of buttermilk around in the mouth several times a day before drinking it down. L-lysine supplements are often used to treat cold sores; some people maintain they are also soothing for canker sores.
Keep in mind that recurrent canker sores could be a signal of an underlying health problem such as celiac disease or an autoimmune disorder.
If you have a favorite way to prevent canker sores, share it in the comments below.
