Scientifically known as aphthous ulcers, canker sores are painful recurring ulcers inside the mouth. Though not viral or contagious and no serious complications when unhealed, the acute mouth pain can impair the sufferer's quality of life: interfering with the ability to eat, drink and speak.

Though canker sores' direct cause is still unknown, studies have pinpointed stress, family history, and cuts in the mouth (like those caused by braces or accidental bites) as indirect causes. In some people diet has identified, but no specific food has been identified as triggering cause of canker sores.

For over 4000 years the healing properties of licorice root (Glycyrrhiza) extract (GX) have long been established. Now, recent research has identified its anti-inflammatory, soothing, and coating abilities and has been found to provide proven, rapid relief for canker sores.

A new randomized, controlled study conducted by researchers at the University of Washington and Orahealth Corporation using CankerMelts® - a new, patented dissolving oral GX patch - found that the produce is effective against canker sores.

...8 out of 10 people using an oral GX patch (CankerMelts®) had no more base pain after 3 days of use. Further, the canker sores treated with the oral GX patch shrank to one-tenth their original size after 7 days, while untreated canker sores grew larger. In a separate prior study, 26 out of 27 canker sores (96%) that were treated with the CankerMelts oral patch healed in 3 or fewer days.

These findings have been reported at the annual meeting of the International & American Association for Dental Research.

Read the full report.

[photo credit: orahealth]