Instruction Sheet for Canker Sores and Mouth Ulcers

Canker Sores (Aphthous Stomatitis) and Mouth Ulcers

Instructions for Patients
©2020 SQUIGLE, Inc.  (Last revision: April 2, 2020)

These instructions are provided as a guide to patients who have been diagnosed by a physician or dentist. These Instructions have been created after hundreds of hours of discussions with patients and physicians. They are not meant to be rigid and unchanging. Of course, we hope they work for you. But if they don't, please contact SQUIGLE, Inc. at 1-877-718-0718 (9 am to 5 pm, EST).

This is crucial: Use either SQUIGLE®, SQUIGLE JR®, or TOOTH BUILDER® Toothpaste exclusively.  Each is free of SLS (sodium lauryl sulfate) and other irritating ingredients such as cocamidopropyl betaine, tartar control agents and bleaches. SQUIGLE's flavor is mild to prevent irritation of delicate tissues, while TOOTH BUILDER is flavor free, and SQUIGLE JR is raspberry flavored. All have 36% Xylitol--more than any other toothpaste--to profoundly inhibit the growth of plaque. Plaque secretes irritating acids, which can trigger canker sores.

If you feel you need to use mouthwash, use 0.12% chlorhexidine gluconate (this is a prescription antimicrobial rinse and must be prescribed by a physician/health care provider) twice a day, or as directed. Or use SmartMouth ^® mouthwash, a nonprescription mouthwash which generates chlorine dioxide immediately before use.

Floss at least once a day, before you brush. Use unwaxed floss. If your teeth are closely spaced, use Glide ^® floss. If your ulcers are too painful to use floss, use an oral irrigator.

If possible, gently brush your tongue, roof of mouth, and inside of cheeks with a soft bristled, small-headed brush. This will further reduce the amount of irritating plaque in your mouth.

Apply Durham Farm's Canker-Rid to the canker sore. It is recommended for canker sores, mouth sores and mouth ulcers and is made with honey bee propolis.

No baking soda -- it only makes matters worse.

No chewing gum, especially no cinnamon or spearmint (one exception below).  Don't use candy or breath mints, especially cinnamon or spearmint.

For terrible attacks, try oral cortisone (methyl prednisolone dose pack -- prescription required).

A short course of oral tetracycline is OK. So is a short course of antifungal therapy or antiviral therapy. (Please consult your physician or health care provider as these items require a prescription.)

Take a multivitamin + multimineral daily, after a meal. In addition, take 500 mg to 1000 mg of buffered vitamin C daily. Get sufficient rest each night.

Visit an allergist to get tested for food allergies and sensitivities. Then avoid any foods you are allergic to or sensitive to.

If you still persist in getting life-disrupting canker sores, and you do not use tobacco in any form, try chewing a nicotine gum such as Nicorette ^® (four 2 mg tablets per day -- this is equivalent to smoking one cigarette per day). [see: R. Bittoun, The Medical Journal of Australia, 154, 471 (1991)]