So we’re a few weeks into 2012 and most of us are still holding on to the last vestiges of optimism that this year’s going to be better than last year. We’ve probably already broken a resolution or two, but that’s okay, because this year just has to be better, right?

2. 5 Simple Things you can do
Right now to have Fewer
Canker Sores in 2012

3. So we’re a few weeks into 2012
and most of us are still holding on
to the last vestiges of optimism
that this year’s going to be better
than last year. We’ve probably
already broken a resolution or
two, but that’s okay, because this
year just has to be better, right?

4. …I mean, right?
Well, I don’t know about you, but
a year with fewer canker sores
would go a long way toward my
year being better.

5. And while there’s a plethora of
products and theories to try
throughout the year, I thought I’d
start things off with just a handful
of simple, easy things you can do
right now that could make a big
difference moving forward.

6. And by the way, while
everybody’s different and some
of these may apply to some
more than others, these are
fairly general things that
anyone can try. So I say why
not?

7. 1. Stop using SLS toothpaste
The Sodium Lauryl Sulfate
debate has been something of a
hot one, with some people
claiming that works like a
charm and some (like myself)
seeing no difference at all.

8. Even established scientific studies
completely contradict each other,
with THIS ONE claiming a
“statistically significant difference”
and THIS ONE that saw no
difference whatsoever.

9. I’ve been conducting experiments
on myself and have so far not seen
any difference with SLS-free
toothpaste.

10. So what gives? What does all
this mean? To me, it just means
that SLS affects some people
and doesn’t affect others. The
only way to know for yourself is
to try it. There are a lot of SLS-
free toothpastes to choose from,
give one or two a shot this year
and see if it makes a difference.

11. 2. Take a combination of B
Vitamins and Iron
It doesn’t get much easier than
popping a pill or two every
day. Supplements have been
shown to greatly reduce canker
sores in some people,

12. and the most popular pills to
pop seem to be Vitamin B12,
Vitamin B, Iron, Lysine, and
Folic Acid.
To start with, I’d recommend B,
B12, and/or Iron. Studies such
as THIS ONE have shown
statistical correlation between
canker sore sufferers

13. and B12 and Iron deficiencies. While
Vitamin B landed as the top
supplement on
the mouthulcers.org survey for
prevention of ulcers.

14. While you could change your
diet to include more meats and
milk and tuna to get your B12, I
recommend just getting some
supplements, that way you can
keep track of exactly how much
you’re consuming and don’t
have to run around and restock
your kitchen.

15. 3. Rinse after you eat
Almost without fail, every
canker sore begins as a trauma
in your mouth. Sometimes it’s
you biting the everliving frack
out of your cheek, sometimes
it’s too small to even see or
feel.

16. So it’s important to rinse your
mouth out after you eat to clear
all the tiny food particles out of
your mouth and prevent them
from scratching or otherwise
irritating the lining of your
mouth.

17. It doesn’t have to be a big
production. Just swishing around
with water is better than
nothing. Add a little saline to the
water to make it salty is even
better, or if you want to go totally
pro about it,

18. you can get your hands on some
mouthwash or even better, one
of the many canker sore-related
mouthwashes out there like
Peroxyl.
Just make it a habit. See what
kind of difference it
makes. Can’t hurt!

19. 4. Chill Out!
Oh, the stress thing. Whether
you’re the type who swears that
your ulcers are brought about
by stress or if you swear it
makes no difference, the
bottom line is, it’s always a
good idea to cut stress out of
your life.

20. Easier said than done, right?
Look, there are moments in
your life where you’re just
going to be stressed, no way
around it.

21. Things like divorce, layoffs,
deaths in the family, these
things are going to cause added
stress and all you can do is just
push through to the other
side. I’m not talking about
that. I’m talking about the
average stress level in your
daily life.

22. It’s not about reorienting your
whole world (though
sometimes that’s not a bad
idea), it’s just about taking a
little time for yourself
throughout the day, even if it’s
just closing your eyes and
listening to your favorite song,
to lower your stress levels.

23. Take a walk. Engage in a
ridiculous hobby. Listen to a
meditation podcast for 10
minutes. Hell, have a drink if
that’s what it takes. Chronic
stress packs a wallop to your
entire body, especially your
immune system.

24. That means more canker sores
and more illness. You know
what makes you feel
better. Make it a priority.

25. And if you do need to rearrange
your life, do it! Here are some
of my favorite websites about
simplifying your life and finding
your happy place. There are a
ton of tips to help take the
pressure off and have the kind
of life you want:

26. The Positivity Blog
Zen Habits
Life Optimizer

27. 5. Eat more soup
I don’t spend a lot of time on this
blog telling people what to eat
because I don’t think it’s much of
a life if all you can do is munch
on leaves. If you cut out
everything people tell you causes
canker sores, you wouldn’t be
able to eat anything.

28. But one thing I do know will
cause more canker sores than
you could possibly
imagine? Hard foods.
If you have RAS and eat a lot of
tortilla chips, no offense, but
you deserve what you get. You
might as well be chewing on
glass.

29. Don’t forget the
hollandaise

30. Just as diabetics need to be
aware of a food’s sugar content,
you need to be aware of its
hardness when you eat, and
avoid stuff that is especially
hard and sharp.

31. And if you do, for the love of God,
rinse your mouth as soon as you’re
done, and get those hard particles
out before they rub in a new canker
sore.

32. And that’s it! Five fairly simple
little changes you can do to
start making a difference to
your canker sores. Give it a try
and see what happens!
I wish all of you a fantastic and
pain-free 2012!

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