Canker Sores and Styptic Pencils...

[Jack Johnson]

I read the following message regarding the use of Styptic Pencils to
treat Canker Sores:

The simplest, and maybe the most effective, treatment for canker sores
is a styptic pencil. If the sore is already full-grown, lightly rub a
moistened styptic pencil against it for about a minute two or three
times a day until you feel (with your tongue) that it is beginning to
heal. Some people, like me, get a canker sore whenever there is a cut
or abrasion in the mouth. Treating a cut area with a styptic pencil as
soon as it occurs prevents the area from proceeding into the ulcer
stage. I can't tell you how much suffering I went through before I
figured this out.
End of Message...

My only concern is that I was under the impression that styptic
pencils were to only be used externally and that using a styptic
pencil in the mouth could be harmful. Are styptic pencils safe to use
in the mouth for canker sores?

Jack Johnson
jackjohn...@yahoo.com

[Alix Hartman]

What's in them?
When I used to suffer from canker sores, I found that putting a little piece
of alum on it would take away the pain.

--

Alix
al...@BINKY.pacifier.com
[To respond, first take out the binky]

"Jack Johnson" <jackjohn...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:3c9bba86...@news.tyler.net...

[DrCnBseen]

Hi Jack,

You wrote:

I believe the principal ingredient in styptic pencils is aluminum chloride.
Its therapeutic category is as an astringent. It works by precipitating tissue
and blood proteins causing a mechanical obstruction to hemorrhage from injured
blood vessel.

You may be confusing a canker sore (RA, aphtous ulcer) with a traumatic ulcer.

"Some people, like me, get a canker sore whenever there is a cut or abrasion in

the mouth" In dentistry we use limited amounts of Aluminum Chloride in the
mouth. Going through several dental books I could not find any recommendation
of a true RA with Aluminum Chloride. Use of any medication for other than what
it is intended for carries with it potential problems. I would highly
recommend you see your dentist the next time you have one of these lesions.
Let him make a differential diagnosis and recommend therapy.

Stan

[Alix Hartman]

Is alum (the kind you buy for use in cooking) the same as aluminum chloride,
which is in the styptic pencils?

--

Alix
al...@BINKY.pacifier.com
[To respond, first take out the binky]

"DrCnBseen" <drcn...@aol.com> wrote in message
news:20020323103441...@mb-bk.aol.com...

[roxana....@gmail.com]

I get canker sores if I eat stuff with a lot of vinegar. Salt and vinegar chips will do it every time. The best treatment I have found is rinsing the mouth thoroughly with a mixture of one half filtered or bottled water and one half hydrogen peroxide a couple times a day. A side effect is that it also whitens your teeth! I will leave it in my mouth while I shower, then, floss/brush my teeth and rinse well after.
I have an empty mouthwash bottle that I keep filled with this solution. Pretty handy!