B12 and canker sores, Painful canker sores are often blamed on sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) by marketers of natural or organic toothpastes; in reality, vitamin B12 deficiencies are an identified cause of a painful tongue canker, canker sore, oral ulcer or other throbbing mouth sores.

Understanding Canker Sores

Canker sores are actually open sores located on the gums, tongue and other oral mucous membranes. Canker sores are painful, last about two to four weeks and oftentimes force the sufferer to alter his food intake to prevent additional pain.

A study of the Better Health Channel proves that canker sores are predominantly caused by actual injury to the oral mucous membranes, followed by a host of other conditions. It is noteworthy that dietary deficiencies - most commonly a lack of vitamins C, B12, zinc and also iron - may also cause the formation of painful canker sores.

The Vitamin B12 Canker Sores Connection

The vitamin B12 canker sores connection was first documented in 1978. In a study published in theJournal of Oral Pathology, researchers determined that a high percentage of canker sores sufferers also experienced nutritional deficits. Most notable were a lack of vitamin B-12 and iron as well as folic acid. These deficiencies soon became noted candidates for contributing to the formation of canker sores.