Canker Sores and Mouth Ulcers

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I struggled with canker sores and mouth ulcers most of my life. Then I went gluten-free and committed to an Ancestral Diet.

I get mouth sores occasionally if I bite the inside of my lip. These are not cankers, viral or allergic.

Canker Sores vs. Mouth Ulcers

• Canker sores and mouth ulcers can look similar.
• Both are painful white sores in the mouth or near the lip, with a red border.
• Canker sores can recur, especially if caused by gluten intolerance.
• Mouth ulcers are usually caused by biting, other trauma to the mouth or reactions to SLS in toothpaste. 

Canker Sores and Herpes Virus

Herpes can cause cold sores on the face and near or on the lip. These are not canker sores, but infectious herpes outbreaks.

I have many articles and Podcasts on controlling Herpes. Use the Search feature on my site to locate them, the Herpes Supplement Pack,  and the 90 minute Herpes Relief Guide. 

Causes of Canker Sores

Canker sores are often a sign of gluten intolerance. 

Inflammation and antibodies from gluten (and other grains) can cause chronic immune suppression. 

This Canadian Celiac Disease article suggests that multiple dental issues can be atypical signs of Celiac or gluten intolerance.

Following a grain-free, gluten-free Paleo/Ancestral diet (see my Diet For Human Beings), I have no more canker sores.

Gluten Antibodies Without Celiac Disease

Humans never ate grains until we began to domesticate animals and plant the cereal grasses – wheat, rye, barley, rice, corn, etc. 

Our digestive systems did not evolve to break down starchy and highly complex carbohydrates. We’re not ruminants like cows and horses. They have an entirely different digestive system suited to grass and grass seed.

I check for antibodies to gluten with a test from Cyrex Labs.

Cyrex Labs gluten and wheat analog test checks antibodies to 15 different “forms” of gluten and wheat. It’s highly revealing. If antibodies are high, Celiac Disease is suspected.

Regardless of antibody levels to gluten, I still ask Clients to avoid it to improve inflammation, calorie control and digestion. 

Causes of Mouth Ulcers

• Mouth ulcers almost always have a direct connection to what goes into the mouth. 
• Toothpaste with Sodium Laurel Sulfate;
• Foods with MSG
• Highly processed or allergic foods.
• Dental trauma from biting your cheek or brushing too hard
• Braces and mouth guards can abrade the mucosal lining. Ask your orthodontist to adjust them. 

Canker Cover mouth sore “patches”  are long-lasting. They apply a dab of menthol gel directly on the mouth sore. You can eat without hurting again. 

If you have a child with mouth ulcers, get the entire family on the hearty Paleo Diet. Gluten intolerance is often inherited.