Right here’s what most dentists let you know about canker sores: use a numbing gel, keep away from spicy meals, and wait it out.
Right here’s what they don’t let you know:
A 1977 research discovered that zinc supplementation lowered canker sore recurrence by 50% to 100% in sufferers with low zinc ranges.
But in some way, a long time later, most individuals struggling with recurrent canker sores have by no means even heard of this analysis. They’ve by no means had their zinc ranges examined. They don’t know {that a} easy mineral deficiency might be on the root of years of ache.
If you happen to get canker sores, you understand how painful they’re. They interrupt your meals, make speaking uncomfortable, and stick round for 1-2 weeks at a time.
Most individuals attempt to numb the ache or simply wait it out—with out ever asking why it retains occurring.
In contrast to chilly sores (that are viral and contagious), canker sores are autoimmune.
Consider them as your immune system waving a crimson flag, telling you one thing is off.
I’ve all the time advised my sufferers: cankers can usually be one thing you get while you’re run down. And in the event that they hold coming again, there’s a root trigger that wants addressing.
So let’s dig into what’s actually inflicting them…
1. Zinc Deficiency: The Lacking Piece
So why does zinc work?
Zinc is important for immune operate, wound therapeutic, and cell proliferation. It helps collagen synthesis and has highly effective anti-inflammatory properties. Once you’re poor, your mouth merely can’t heal the best way it ought to.
If you happen to’re getting 3+ canker sores a 12 months, zinc deficiency ought to be in your radar.
Not all zinc dietary supplements are created equal. Keep away from zinc oxide, which has poor absorption. I take advantage of zinc picolinate (hyperlink to the one I take).
2. Your Oral Microbiome and Biofilm Are Depleted
Canker sores that seem usually and heal slowly are an indication of a depleted biofilm.
And not using a wholesome biofilm, your mouth’s immune barrier is compromised. You’re working with out one in every of your physique’s core defenses.
Indicators your biofilm could be depleted:
- Canker sores that heal slowly
- Bleeding gums, even with mild brushing
- Dry mouth while you get up
- Dangerous breath that doesn’t go away
One of many indicators of low magnesium is canker sores on the tongue and contained in the cheeks. Magnesium stabilizes helpful micro organism and strengthens the biofilm matrix. With out it, the entire construction turns into unstable.
Most adults don’t hit the 500-600 mg of magnesium per day that helps optimum well being.
I’ve written about this extensively in previous newsletters, however the takeaway is that this: in case your magnesium is low, your biofilm can’t stabilize. And which means extra irritation, extra bleeding gums, and sure—extra canker sores. (Hyperlink to the one I take.)
3. SLS in Your Toothpaste Is Stripping Your Mouth
I might all the time inform when my sufferers had been utilizing a toothpaste with SLS in it due to the sloughing of cheek cells on my intraoral mirror. It’s one of the vital recognizable circumstances within the mouth.
SLS—sodium lauryl sulfate—is a foaming agent that offers you that bubbly feeling while you brush. It makes you really feel like your mouth is cleaner.
However what it’s really doing is stripping away the protecting mucosa layer inside your mouth, leaving your tissues weak and susceptible to canker sores.
A number of research have linked SLS to elevated canker sore frequency.
The cleansing answer I take advantage of on our storage ground is 50% SLS. And that is the ingredient most individuals are placing of their mouth twice a day.
For many years, I’ve been telling sufferers to go SLS-free. However when nano-hydroxyapatite got here to the US market, there have been NO SLS-free choices that included it.
It felt like I used to be asking folks to make a compromise: both get the remineralization advantages of nano-HAP, or keep away from SLS. However toothpaste shouldn’t be a compromise.
That’s an enormous a part of why I co-founded Fygg—so folks might lastly have each. No SLS, nano-hydroxyapatite, and full transparency about each ingredient.
However whether or not you employ Fygg or one other SLS-free model, that is non-negotiable if you happen to’re coping with canker sores: ditch the SLS.
And be careful—producers cover SLS underneath totally different names.
4. The Tortilla Chip Issue
So many individuals don’t notice that mechanical trauma is without doubt one of the most typical causes of canker sores.
Tortilla chips. Crackers. Pretzels. Sharp edges on Invisalign aligners. A tough spot in your evening guard. Even a pointy edge by yourself tooth from grinding.
In case your canker sore seems in the very same spot every time, see your dentist. We will determine and clean the sharp space—it’s a straightforward repair that folks overlook for years.
I’ve seen cases the place a pointy fringe of a tooth (created by grinding) will trigger a canker sore in the very same location on the tongue or cheek each single time. As soon as we clean it down, the issue disappears.
5. Stress, Poor Sleep, and By chance Biting Your self
Stress can result in bruxism (tooth grinding), which creates jaw rigidity, which makes you extra more likely to by accident chew your cheek or tongue.
Poor sleep results in muscle spasms and involuntary jaw actions. Once you’re run down, harassed, and never sleeping effectively, your physique’s coordination is off.
A number of research present that stress will increase bruxism and involuntary facial muscle contractions. You’re extra more likely to chew your self, and while you do, your depleted immune system can’t heal it as rapidly. It’s an ideal storm.
Different elements that improve canker sores:
- Alcohol consumption (sufferers usually balk at this one, however it’s actual—you don’t need to stop, however you’ll be able to titrate to seek out your threshold)
- Hormonal adjustments (menstrual cycle, menopause)
- Not getting sufficient sleep (I don’t imply 8 hours—I imply QUALITY sleep that doesn’t have tossing and turning, drooling in your pillow, twisted mattress sheets, loud night breathing and mouth respiration. Ask your dentist for a sleep apnea screening!)
What to Do Proper Now
Step 1: Begin a Zinc Protocol
For energetic canker sores: Think about a zinc lozenges (allow them to dissolve towards the sore 3-4 occasions a day). This gives an area anti-inflammatory impact and helps velocity therapeutic.
For prevention: Each day zinc supplementation: 15-25 mg per day is mostly protected for adults with out testing. Take it with meals to forestall abdomen upset. (That is the one in my vitamin cupboard.)
Essential: This text is for instructional functions solely, so please speak to your physician. The higher restrict is 40 mg per day—don’t exceed this with out medical supervision. And if you happen to’re supplementing zinc long-term, ensure you’re additionally getting copper, as zinc can deplete copper ranges.
Some meals sources of zinc:
- Oysters (the richest supply)
- Beef, lamb
- Pumpkin seeds
- Chickpeas, lentils
- Cashews, almonds (average to low)
Must you take a look at first?
If you wish to complement 15-25 mg per day of zinc for prevention, you don’t essentially want to check first—that’s inside the protected vary for most individuals.
BUT—if you happen to’re getting 3+ canker sores per 12 months and wish to know if zinc deficiency is really YOUR problem, testing your serum zinc ranges is smart.
The research I reference above confirmed folks with low zinc (under 110 mcg/dL) obtained probably the most dramatic outcomes—100% of them improved.
That is the place working with a practical dentist is useful. They perceive the oral-systemic connection and can really dig into dietary deficiencies relatively than simply handing you a steroid cream.
You will discover a practical dentist in your space by means of our Practical Dentist Listing.
Step 2: Swap to a SLS-Free, Fluoride-Free Toothpaste Instantly
Even if you happen to don’t get canker sores, I like to recommend this for everybody.
SLS is a detergent which emulsifies the biofilm on the oral mucosa. Fluoride can predispose us to canker sores as effectively.
Whether or not you employ my toothpaste Fygg (code ATD15 for 15% off) or one other SLS-free model, make the swap this week.
Examine your labels rigorously—keep in mind that SLS hides underneath a number of names.
Step 3: Restore Your Oral Microbiome
- Take an oral probiotic with Streptococcus salivarius (that is the one I take as a result of it’s really efficient and formulated by oral microbiome scientists)
- Assist your biofilm with magnesium
- Keep away from important oil mouthwashes, alcohol-based rinses, and Listerine—these strip your biofilm and make the issue worse. If you happen to can’t quit the rinse, swish with coconut MCT oil—so nice for the oral microbiome!
Step 4: For Lively Sores—Tremendous Saturated Salt Rinse
That is free, and it really works.
Combine Himalayan or Lifeless Sea salt in heat water. Make it SUPER saturated—extra salt than you assume. The way in which you recognize it’s tremendous saturated is you retain stirring salt in till it now not dissolves. Lots of people throw a tablespoon or two in there and it’s not even shut. Preserve going till it NO LONGER dissolves—that is key to ensure that this to work.
Rinse for five minutes, 4 occasions a day.
This may increasingly burn a bit of at first, however it accelerates the brand new pores and skin layer of the ulcerated space as a result of salt stimulates the closing of the aphthous ulcer. Salt will increase blood stream to the affected space and contracts the tissues, accelerating wound therapeutic.
It additionally has a gentle calming impact (after that preliminary burn).
Step 5: Handle Mechanical Trauma
- See your dentist to clean any sharp spots in your tooth
- Examine your evening guard, retainers, or Invisalign aligners for tough edges
- Use a soft-bristled toothbrush
- Eat rigorously—decelerate, chew mindfully, and keep away from sharp meals when you could have an energetic sore
Step 6: Handle Stress and Sleep
- Get 8 hours of sleep minimal
- Observe stress discount (meditation, breathwork, train)
- If you happen to grind your tooth, get fitted for a customized evening guard
If you happen to mouth breathe, that is big: Mouth respiration dries out the oral mucosa, making it extra more likely to “ulcerate” aka get a canker sore. Attempt mouth tape and work with a myofunctional therapist to revive nasal respiration.
Step 7: Preserve a Canker Sore Diary
Monitor when sores seem, what you ate, your stress ranges, sleep high quality, and (for ladies) the place you’re in your hormonal cycle. Search for patterns.
You possibly can’t repair what you don’t observe.
What NOT to Do
Keep away from these frequent errors:
❌ Hydrogen peroxide – There’s no micro organism to kill with a canker sore. You’re simply irritating it additional.
❌ Listerine or antiseptic mouthwashes – These strip your biofilm and make the issue worse.
❌ Important oils – Even the “pure” varieties burn and irritate canker sores.
❌ Canker sore covers – Each time I’ve seen these used, they extend therapeutic and improve ache.
❌ Simply treating the symptom with out discovering the basis trigger – That is the largest mistake of all.
Fast clarification: Canker sores are NOT the identical as chilly sores. Chilly sores are viral, contagious, and seem exterior the mouth (normally on the lips). Canker sores seem contained in the mouth and aren’t contagious.
I hope this all helps. What matter would you want me to cowl subsequent time?
Mark
P.S. Know somebody who suffers from canker sores? Please ahead this to them & inform them to join future emails right here.