Canker Sores
Healthy Lifestyle Tips
Minor trauma from poor-fitting dentures, rough fillings, or braces can aggravate canker sores and should be remedied by a dentist.
Several reports have found sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), a component of some toothpastes, to be a potential cause of canker sores.43 In one trial, most recurrent canker sores were eliminated just by avoiding toothpaste containing SLS for three months.44 Positive effects of eliminating SLS have been confirmed in double-blind research.45 SLS is thought to increase the risk of canker sores by removing a protective coating (mucin) in the mouth. People with recurrent canker sores should use an SLS-free toothpaste for several months to see if such a change helps.
Measurements of stress were associated with recurrent canker sores in one preliminary study,46 but not in another.47 More research is needed to determine whether stress reduction techniques might reduce canker sore recurrences.