So we’re a few weeks into 2012 and most of us are still holding on to the last vestiges of optimism that this year’s going to be better than last year. We’ve probably already broken a resolution or two, but that’s okay, because this year just has to be better, right?
Well, I’m not sure about you, but a year with less canker sores would go a long way toward my year being better. So here’s a list of 5 easy actions you can take now that may create a significant difference in your canker sores this year.
1. Stop using SLS toothpaste The Sodium Lauryl Sulfate debate has been something of a hot one, with some people claiming that using SLS-free toothpaste works like a charm and some (like myself) seeing no difference at all. Even established scientific studies completely contradict each other, with some claiming a “statistically significant difference” and some that saw no difference whatsoever.
So what gives? What does all this mean? To me, it just means that SLS affects some people and doesn’t affect others. The only way to know for yourself is to try it. There are a lot of SLS-free toothpastes to choose from, give one or two a shot this year and see if it makes a difference.
2. Take a combination of B Vitamins and Iron It doesn’t get much easier than popping a pill or two every day. Supplements have been shown to greatly reduce canker sores in some people, and the most popular pills to pop seem to be Vitamin B12, Vitamin B, Iron, Lysine, and Folic Acid.
To start with, I’d advise B, B12, and/or Iron. Research have demostrated statistical link between canker sore affected individuals and B12 and Iron deficiencies, while Vitamin B ended up as the top supplement on the mouthulcers.org survey for prevention of sores. While you can transform your eating habits to include more meats and milk and tuna to get your B12, I might suggest just getting some supplements, this way you can keep a record of precisely what amount you’re taking in and do not have to go out and restock your kitchen.
3. Rinse after you eat Almost without fail, every canker sore begins as a trauma inside your mouth. In some cases it’s you biting the heck out of your cheek, at times it’s too small to even view or feel. So it is critical to rinse your mouth out once you eat to remove each of the tiny food debris out of your mouth and prevent them from scratching or otherwise aggravating the lining of the mouth.
It doesn’t have to be a big production. Just swishing around with water is better than nothing. Salt water is even better, or you could go all out and use mouthwash. There are even some canker sore-related mouthwashes you can try. Just make it a habit. See what kind of difference it makes. Can’t hurt!
4. Chill Out! Oh, the stress thing. No matter if you’re the type who swears that your sores are because of anxiety or should you swear it makes no difference, fundamentally, it is always advisable to cut stress out of your life.
It’s not about reorienting your whole world (though sometimes that’s not a bad idea), it’s just about taking a little time for yourself throughout the day, even if it’s just closing your eyes and listening to your favorite song, to lower your stress levels. Take a walk. Engage in a ridiculous hobby. Listen to a meditation podcast for 10 minutes. Have a drink if that’s what it takes. Chronic stress packs a wallop to your immune system. That means more canker sores and more illness. You know what makes you feel better. Make it a priority.
And if you do need to rearrange your life, do it! There’s no time like the present to simplify.
5. Eat more soup I do not spend a lot of time telling people things to eat because I don’t think it’s a very good life if everything you can do is snack on leaves. If you remove anything people tell you brings about canker sores, you would not have the ability to eat anything. But one thing I know will cause more canker sores than you can fathom? Hard foods. If you have RAS and consume a lot of tortilla chips, you might as well be biting on glass.
Just as diabetics need to be aware of a food’s sugar content, you need to be aware of its hardness when you eat, and avoid stuff that is especially hard and sharp. And if you do, for the love of God, rinse your mouth as soon as you’re done, and get those hard particles out before they rub in a new canker sore.
And that’s it! Five quite simple minor adjustments you can do to start creating a difference to your canker sores. Give it a go and see what happens!
Seth Michaels is a writer and blogger who has dealt with mouth ulcers his whole life. He shares tons of useful information like this at Cankerboy.com, where you can find more ways to live without pain.