Painful! But no one knows why some people get them and other don’t. A canker sore should heal within 2 weeks. If the sore lasts a long time or you are unable to eat, speak, or sleep properly, you should see a doctor or a dentist.

There is at least one benefit to getting older, the older you get, the fewer canker sores you’ll get. Meantime, here are some helpful hints for you to try:

Try carbamide peroxide – its a generic form of an over the counter product that combines glycerin and peroxide. The peroxide releases oxygen and cleans up the bacteria. The bubbles get into the tiniest crevices, the glycerine puts on a coating and helps protect the sore.

Rinse with potassium chlorate – put a teaspoon of potassium chlorate in a cup of water and rinsing the mouth with it several times a day. Do not swallow

Over the counter meds – looks for medications that contain benzocaine, menthol, camphor, eucalyptol, and or alcohol in a liquid or gel. They often sting at first and most need repeated application because they don’t stick

Wash your mouth out – Dilute 1 tablespoon of hydrogen peroxide in a glass of water and swish it around in your mouth to disinfect the sore and speed healing. You can also try the mouth wash Folamint, it contains no alcohol so it won’t sting, but does contain healing aloe vera, folate, zinc, and vitamin C

Try Mylanta  -  Don’t swallow your Mylanta or milk of magnesia. Instead, swish it around your mouth and allow it to protectively coat the the sore

Try Goldenseal – Make a strong tea of goldenseal root (available at health food stores) and use it as a mouthwash. Or you can make a paste of it and apply it directly.

Try antacids – Tums or rolaids can be used to neutralize the acids that eat into mouth tissue. Put the tablet on the sore and allow it to dissolve

Tea Bags – applied to the sore also neutralize acids and contain astringent compounds that may help to relieve the pain. Place a damp tea bag over the sore for 5 minutes

Baking soda, salt, water and hydrogen peroxide combine to make a mouthwash that disinfects and neutralizes acids. Mix 2 ounces hydrogen peroxide with 2 ounces water. Add 1 teaspoon baking soda and 1 teaspoon salt, and stir until dissolved. Swish the solution around and spit. Use daily during the breakout

Avoid irritation – Coffee, spices, citrus fruit, nuts high in the amino acid arginine, especially walnuts, chocolate, and strawberries irritate canker sores and cause them in some people. If you get canker sores, you probably know darn well what you should stay away from. You also should know that you need to brush your teeth carefully

Try yogurt – Eating 4 tablespoons of unflavored yogurt a day might help prevent canker sores by sending in helpful bacteria to fight off those dirty mouth bacteria.

Ear wax??? Take a little earwax from your ear and apply it to the canker sore, it’s said to be a sure cure, It may have some antiseptic value, and it may protect the sore. It’s a little gross, but if you’re desperate it may be worth a try

Vitamin E – At the first tingle of a canker sore, take 500 milligrams of vitamin c with bioflavonoids three times a day for 3 days. If you already have a canker sore, squeeze vitamin e oil from a capsule onto your canker sore. Repeat several times a day to keep the tissue well oiled.

The only other thing you need is patience. Time usually takes care of canker sores, sad but true.