Canker sores are usually very painful and will go away between 7-10 days.

There is no known cure for these sores, neither is there a known cause for them. Unlike the cold sores, these are not contagious and you need not worry if a member of your family or a close friend has them.

Causes of Canker Sores

Stress - This causes so many different health problems, with canker sores being just one of them. If you've recently had a canker sore, think back to when it started and whether or not you were under stress at the time. Chances are you were.

Nutrition - Another big factor in what causes canker sores is what we eat. Research has shown that being deficient in Vitamin B-1, B-6, B-12, and Vitamin C, helps in the formation of canker sores. In addition, not enough zinc, folic acid or iron in your body does the same thing.

Hormones - For many women, going through their monthly menstrual cycle has been shown to cause more canker sores than at other times.

Trauma - If you've bitten your lip, or had a food with a sharp edge irritate your lip or gums, this will many times be the cause for a canker sore forming.

Food Allergies - Allergic reactions to certain foods have shown to be canker sore triggers. Some of these foods include milk, cheese, oranges, apples, tomatoes, cereals, nuts, chocolate, and many more in addition.

Treatnents of Canker Sores

There are a number of canker sore treatments that will eliminate the pain and speed the healing process. You can find many of them at your local drugstore or health and beauty section in your local grocery store.

Folic Acid

Canker sores easily form due to a lack of these essential nutrients in your body. You can find these vitamin supplements by themselves, or combined together in a single multivitamin.

Hydrogen Peroxide - You can get a bottle of hydrogen peroxide for less than $2.00 at any Walgreens or grocery store. Pour out a capful and rinse it in your mouth and against your lip for a few seconds, then spit it out. You can also mix it with a little water if you need to, but the peroxide works very well in eliminating bacteria.

Tea Tree Oil - Mix 10% tea tree oil with 90% water and rinse in your mouth once or twice a day. Tea tree oil is well known as being a great skin disinfectant.

Salt Water - This is another well known canker sore cure. Mix a tablespoon of salt in with some warm water and rinse several times throughout the day. Salt is well known for its ability to dry up a canker sore.

Baking Soda - Canker sores and baking soda have been a good combination for many years now. Mix in a teaspoon of baking soda with some warm water and rinse in your mouth several times a day. The pain should go away within 24 hours. You can also mix the baking soda and a little water together to form a paste that you can then take and rub onto the sore itself. Canker sores and baking soda is very good remedy for those asking how to get rid of canker sores.

Alum - You can find alum in any grocery store spice area. Put some alum on your lip where the sore is located and it should quickly relieve the pain. Be advised, while this treatment works, alum can cause a burning sensation for a few minutes. Rinse out with water and do this twice a day.

Use toothpaste free of the chemicals which cause canker sores. Do they even make that? They sure do! There aren’t a lot of options to choose from, but some toothpaste is specifically designed just for that purpose. One familiar name in the oral hygiene industry is Rembrandt. They offer customers a low abrasion toothpaste that also whitens your teeth. It cleans your teeth, makes them whiter, and should reduce your canker sore problems down to about 20 percent.