I just had a patient ask me this question on e-mail and thought it would be a good thing to do a health tip on.

Canker sores or Aphthous ulcers.  

What in the world causes them and how do you treat them?

The cause of them is unknown but there seems to be quite a list of POSSIBLE causes.

Some of the most common causes are from trauma from dental work, tooth brush abrasion, or a laceration on the gum or lip.  There has been a correlation with celiac disease and milk allergy.  Also Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, in toothpaste and shampoos to make them foam, has been shown to increase the frequency of canker sores.  Citrus fruits can make them worse for some people as well as stress, lack of sleep, B-vitamin deficiencies or iron deficiency.

Get some sleep, don�t be stressed, brush your teeth carefully, don�t use toothpaste with Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, and take your vitamins!  You should do great!