I CAN hardly remember a time when I converse with a stranger and when they learn that I am a dentist, they do not ask some advice about oral care and treatment. Many ask about bad breath and mouth sores.

Now, there is a product which I believe is not here on the market, although it is in existence for years, that has a lot of potential in the treatment of gingival (gum) inflammation, geographic (inflamed) tongue, aphthous stomatitis (canker or cold sore), Candida albicans, (thrush infections), herpetic lesions and fever blisters. The name is Prevention Mouth Rinse. The manufacturer has completed all the safety studies under FDA protocol proving the product is very safe. There are three strengths; Everyday, Orthodontic and Periodontal. All three strengths have the same ingredients in different strengths and have shown clinical success in treating oral lesions.

The Periodontal Strength is the most concentrated. This rinse has zinc chloride, an excellent antimicrobial for oral use as well as promotes tissue healing; sodium citrate, a dynamic anti-inflammatory when complexed with zinc; EDTA sodium, a powerful antioxidant that strengthens and improves cellular integrity and hydrogen peroxide. The Periodontal Strength Part A has clinically rendered large aphthous ulcers asymptomatic within hours and promoted healing within two or three days. This product has shown the ability to stop fever blisters if used often once the initial symptoms begin. If you feel itching, tingling or burning in the lip, start treating that area with Prevention Periodontal Mouth Rinse immediately. Rinse the area with a cotton ball or q-tip four or five times a day for the first two days, and then follow the manufacturers’ directions. There has been very positive data collected to date using this method to control and help heal fever blisters. The product is relieving the pain within hours and promoting healing within hours and promoting healing within three days.

To treat an oral lesion in the mouth, take a cotton Q-tip and paint the affected area three to four times per day or as often as you wish with the Prevention Periodontal Part A. Once the lesion begins to heal, rinse as instructed by the manufacturer. Rinse daily with the rinse after the lesions are healed. Prevention Mouth Rinse will keep the lesions from recurring in most individuals. There are controlled cases of individuals that have not experienced oral lesions in three years. These patients had oral lesions every month. Many times these lesions become so painful the individuals could not eat or drink.

There are a few prescriptions drugs that will help treat oral lesions, such as the chlorhexidine gluconate rinses, Nystatin, Betadine based rinses, Clotrimazole, Ketoconazole, Fluconazole, and a few antibiotic-based rinses. Research and clinical use have not proven any of them to be extremely effective for long-term use by individuals with immune deficiency disease or symptoms. Many of the prescription drugs produce side effects in individuals that use the drugs on a long-term basis.

There is also a new prescription drug for oral ulcers called Aphthasol (Amlexanox Oral Paste) five percent. No one is absolutely certain about the mechanism of action by which this product accelerates the healing of aphthous ulcers (canker sores). The manufacturer states side effects with the use of this product. Ask your pharmacist about the side effects if you decide to use this product. Nursing mothers should use caution and consult health professional and pharmacist before using this product. If you use a prescription drug, you should ask the pharmacy for a medical safety data sheet for the drug you are using. Take the time to read the side effects paragraph. Check regularly for any of the listed side effects. If you start developing one of the side effects, consult a health professional immediately.
If you are controlling and treating your oral lesions with any type of OTC or prescription product and the lesions are not responding to your treatment, consult a health professional as soon as possible. Always read your medical data sheet on all prescription drugs and any OTC product that you might have concerns regarding their daily use. Always consult your health professional or pharmacist if you do not understand the medical safety data.

Things to do to help prevent Canker Sores and other Oral Ulcers.
• Avoid foods that have a history of initiating canker sores.
• Eating yogurt (lactobacillus acidophilus cultures) daily may be beneficial to some people.
• Taking vitamin C 500mg or more may be beneficial.
• Taking daily multi-vitamin with a broad range of vitamins and minerals will help most people.
• Rinse daily with an antimicrobial mouth rinse that is low on alcohol (5% or less) and has credible research showing effectiveness against viruses, fungi and pathogenic bacteria.
• Avoid contact with individuals that have active lesions.
• Keep a personal history –eliminate initiating factors.
• Maintain good personal hygiene.