In my mid-40s, I kept having recurring mouth sores. I could have from two to 30 at a time. This made speech and eating difficult. I went to many doctors in the area (also in Memphis) and was diagnosed with many things, including mouth thrush, vitamin B deficiency, an ulcerated digestive system from mouth to anus and an allergic reaction to peanuts and fried foods.

No one could give me any relief, and everywhere I went, I received a different diagnosis.

I decided to go to a chiropractor to see if there might be anything he could do for me. He took an X-ray and told me that a nerve in my neck could be causing the sores. When I began getting adjustments to my neck and spine, my sores went away. I have been sore-free for several years now and can live a normal life again.

I just wanted to share my story with my reader to remind her that not all diagnoses are correct and that she might want to consider a chiropractor. It worked wonders for me.

DEAR READER: I am printing your letter for several reasons. First, you are correct that not all diagnoses are accurate. Second, your situation is totally new to me. Finally, you offer a possible treatment option.

Chiropractors are often-overlooked medical professionals and, based on letters from my readers, are a great source of healing. Most chiropractic treatments are safe or relatively side-effect free. (There are exceptions, such as for people who have clotting disorders or cancer.) A chiropractor can’t replace a general physician, but if these two professionals work together, patients stand the best chance of getting appropriate, effective care.

Thank you for writing and sharing your experience. I hope others can benefit from your advice.

My mother had recurring cold sores on her lips but also frequently had canker sores in her mouth. I used to have frequent canker sores but have never had a cold sore.

Even though it does seem a lot of high acid foods can trigger canker sores, mine were often associated with being over tired or stressed.

The tried and true treatment for us was to dab powdered alum (from the seasoning section of the grocery store) on the tip of a damp finger and then apply it to the canker or cold sore. There is a brief intense tingling and bitterness from the application but relief is instant and for us the sores were usually gone within a day or two. I have even used this for a huge ¾ inch by ¾ inch sore in my throat. I simply dampened a Q-tip, dabbed it in the powdered alum and applied to the spot. The pain was gone instantly and the sore was completely healed in three days.

I hope this will help your readers as much as it has helped me and my mother.

DEAR READER:
I have received several remedies for treating canker and cold sores. They have including everything from using L-lysine tablets, to eliminating peanuts and high acid foods to reducing stress. But by far, the most commonly recommended home remedy was crystallized or powdered alum. Alum is used in many applications including crystal deodorants, makeup and pickling.

I have chosen to print your letter because you have given thorough instructions, evidence that it works and also where it can be found.

These types of sores are usually only seen in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy but some, like my son, don’t seem to have a reason for the neutropenia. He was also lucky that his neutropenia resolved on its own, but I have since found out there are some treatments available.

DEAR READER:
Neutropenia is a decrease in the number of circulating neutrophils, a type of infection fighting white blood cell.

In idiopathic cyclic neutropenia, the number of neutrophils decreases every 21 days often followed by infection and then count recovery. It is usually found in infants and children.

Treatment is available and primarily aimed at treating the underlying cause if one is found. Many cases, such as your son’s, resolve without therapy.

Individuals with this condition should be under the care of a hematologist (blood specialist) who can monitor blood cell levels and provide treatment if necessary.

To give you related information, I am sending you a copy of my Health Report “Blood — Donations and Disorders”. Other readers who would like a copy should send a self-addressed, stamped number 10 envelope and $2 to Newsletter, PO Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092. Be sure mention the title.

DEAR READER:
I’m not sure I would recommend treating mouth ulcers with an electric toothbrush. That must resemble having a lesion on your arm and rubbing it raw with sand paper. When the pain and bleeding stop, the arm lesion is gone!

There are a number of individuals sensitive to sodium laurel sulfate, a common ingredient contained in many brands of toothpaste. Those readers have found success by using Tom’s of Maine or other brands that contain only minimal amounts or are without SLS altogether. In fact, Tom’s boasts of a new toothpaste free of the offending ingredient. It comes in three varieties including a dry mouth soother, whitening and sensitive teeth.

I urge other readers with similar problems to read the ingredients on their toothpaste tubes after other conditions have been ruled out. If SLS is listed, switch to another brand.

Thank you for writing.

I too suffered from canker/cold sores that never seemed to end. I tried every remedy suggested, including switching to a natural toothpaste. Nothing seemed to work until I, on a hunch, stopped eating acidic foods like orange juice, tomatoes, strawberries and more. Once I reduced the amount of acid I was taking in, the problem resolved.

A friend of mine also suffered from mouth sores but because of acid reflux, already had a limited intake of acidic foods. She went to her dentist who told her dab original red gel CloseUp toothpaste on the sores a few times a day, especially just before bed. Within two or three days the sores were completely healed.

I hope this helps the young lady and anyone else who may be suffering from these incredibly painful and unattractive sores.

DEAR READER:
I have not heard of either of these remedies but am printing your letter for reader interest.

Mouth sores (canker sores, cold sores, fever blisters) are fairly common and painful. They are often inside the mouth making most topical treatments difficult to apply because they are “washed away” by the constant presence of saliva. This means that even the most effective treatment often has to be applied several times a day.

If home remedies do not solve the problem, I recommend seeing a dentist who specializes in mouth and tooth disorders. He or she may have several remedies of which I am unaware. Thanks for writing.

DEAR READER:
I have not heard of aspirin causing mouth ulcers but it makes sense that if it can wear holes in the stomach of sensitive individuals it could most likely cause similar problems in the mouth. I am passing your letter on for my readers knowledge in the hopes that it will help others suffering as you (and the above writer‘s daughter) have.

DEAR READER:
Let’s start with the acid reflux. If your daughter truly has acid reflux, she should be under the care of a gastroenterologist to determine if it caused by a hiatal hernia or other factor. If she is asymptomatic, she shouldn’t need medication but that is best determined by the specialist.

Now to the mouth ulcers. These can be very painful, especially when they occur in clusters. You say that a biopsy was taken but you did not share the results. The most common cause is the herpes virus. If this is the case your daughter may benefit from an anti-viral medication such as Valtrex.

Regardless of cause, your daughter should also find ways to reduce stress which can worsen an outbreak or bring one on. She can also try brushing her teeth with baking soda and water rather than manufactured toothpaste because many contain sodium laurel sulfate which can cause mouth ulcers in sensitive individuals. Natural toothpastes such as Tom’s of Maine contain very small amounts (or none at all) and may not have the detrimental effect that standard brands do.

I recommend your daughter see a dentist as a next step. This type of specialist has a vast knowledge of the mouth and teeth and may have alternative therapies or suggestions that a general physician does not. In the meantime, your daughter can try oral numbing agents such as Orajel to dull or eliminate the pain caused by the ulcers. While this is not a long lasting solution, it can provide relief for several hours.