Diet: Eat a diet that varies grains and add a variety of beans, seeds, and nuts. Mono-wheat diets contribute to canker sores, and therefore should be avoided. Also avoid foods and substances that may irritate the ulcers such as coffee, alcohol, refined sugar, citrus fruits, spicy foods, mouthwashes, and smoking. In cases of severe canker sores, eliminate or eat sparingly of acid-forming foods such as animal products, grains, beans, and seeds, and increase your intake of alkaline-producing foods, especially vegetables and fruits.

Canker sores that are due to food sensitivities or allergies are more typically caused by eating milk, cheese, wheat, tomato, vinegar, lemon, pineapple, and/or mustard. It is important to realize that any food or food substance can potentially cause food sensitivities, which must be ruled out in order to achieve long-term healing.

Juice Therapy: Drinking juice made from carrots, celery, and cantaloupe will help relieve symptoms and speed healing.

Nutritional Supplementation: The following nutrients have all been shown to help prevent and reverse canker sores: vitamin C, lysine (an amino acid - take 4 grams for the first four days, then 500 mg three times daily, on an empty stomach and apart from meals), vitamin B complex (two to three times daily with meals, along with folic acid and vitamin B12), and zinc gluconate lozenges. Acidophilus, to ensure a proper supply of healthy bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract, and pantothenic acid can also be helpful.

Topical Treatment: Using a cotton swab, dab each sore with an 8% solution of zinc chloride (available from your pharmacist). As an alternative, you can also use a paste made of echinacea tincture and myrrh gum.

Alternative Professional Care: If your symptoms persist despite the above measures, seek the help of a qualified health professional. The following professional care therapies have all been shown to be useful for treating and relieving the symptoms of canker sores: Detoxification Therapy, Environmental Medicine, Guided Imagery, Magnetic Field Therapy, Naturopathic Medicine, Oxygen Therapy (gargling with hydrogen peroxide added to water can be very helpful) and Traditional Chinese Medicine.

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