QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
Everything you'd rather not ask your dentist.
Straight answers about canker sores, what's in our formulas, and how to pick the one that fits. If yours isn't here, write to us.
The Sore Itself
What actually causes canker sores? No single cause, which is part of why they're so maddening. The usual suspects: - Minor trauma, a toothbrush slip, a bitten cheek, braces, dental work - Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), the foaming agent in most toothpaste - Acidic or sharp foods: citrus, tomato, pineapple, vinegar, chips - Stress and short sleep - Hormonal shifts - Low B12, iron, zinc, or folate - Family history, they tend to run in families Most people have two or three reliable triggers rather than all of them. Worth keeping a note on your phone for a couple of months; the pattern usually shows up fast.
Is a canker sore the same thing as a cold sore? No, they're different things, and people mix them up constantly. Canker sores form inside the mouth: inner lip, cheek, tongue, gumline. They're shallow ulcers with a white or yellow center and a red border. They aren't viral and aren't contagious. Cold sores come from the herpes simplex virus and appear outside the mouth, usually along the lip border, as clustered blisters. Those are contagious. The Canker Spanker is made for canker sores, not cold sores. If yours is on the outside of your lip, check with a pharmacist or doctor.
How long does one last if I just leave it alone? A small one generally runs about one to two weeks. Larger or deeper ones can take longer and are more likely to be tender the entire time. The first three or four days are usually the worst of it, which is exactly the window our products are built for.
When should I see a dentist or doctor instead? Please get it looked at if any of these apply: - It's still there after three weeks - It's unusually large, or spreading - You have a fever alongside it Persistent mouth ulcers occasionally point to something else going on, and that's a conversation for your dentist or GP.
Can I stop getting them altogether? Often you can cut them down sharply. The three changes that move the needle for most people: switch to an SLS-free toothpaste, use a soft-bristle brush, and find the food trigger you're currently ignoring. Beyond that, it's the boring stuff, sleep and stress. The Canker Spanker is also built to be taken preventatively: one pill a day, ongoing, rather than only reaching for it once a sore has already arrived. Taken that way, it's intended to reduce how often breakouts happen by up to 75%. Individual results vary.
Canker Solutions
What is The Canker Spanker, exactly? A small pill you swallow, not something you dab on the sore. That's the whole idea: instead of numbing the surface for twenty minutes, it works from the inside, and it's meant to be an alternative to the topical products you've already tried. It comes in two strengths, Original and Severe.
How do I take it? One pill a day to help prevent breakouts. Two pills a day while you have a canker sore. Always read the label and follow the directions on the package.
What does the 75% figure mean? Two separate things, and they're worth keeping straight: - Taken daily as a preventative, it's intended to reduce how often you break out by up to 75%. - Taken once a sore has started, it's intended to cut healing time by up to 75%. Individual results vary.
What's in it? The Canker Spanker Original Calcium carbonate, ferrous sulfate, microcrystalline cellulose, crospovidone, maltodextrin. Contains less than 2% of: carmine (color), citric acid, ethanol, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, medium-chain triglycerides, polydextrose, polyvinyl alcohol, stearic acid, tea tree oil (Melaleuca alternifolia leaf oil). No artificial flavors. The Canker Spanker Severe Ferrous sulfate, microcrystalline cellulose, povidone, crospovidone, ethanol. Contains less than 2% of: carmine (color), hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, magnesium stearate, medium-chain triglycerides, polyvinyl alcohol, tea tree oil (Melaleuca alternifolia leaf oil). No artificial flavors. Both formulas contain ferrous sulfate, which is iron. If you already take an iron supplement or a multivitamin with iron, check with your doctor or pharmacist before adding The Canker Spanker.
How quickly will I notice something? If you want relief in the meantime, Calm is the topical piece of the range and works on contact.
Will any of it sting? The Canker Spanker is a pill, so nothing touches the sore at all. That's the point of the format. Calm is a topical melt designed to be pain-free going on. No acid burn, no alcohol sting.
Is it safe for kids, or while pregnant or nursing? Because the pills contain iron, keep them well out of reach of children, and check with your doctor or pharmacist before starting if you're pregnant, nursing, taking prescription medication, or already supplementing iron. We'd genuinely rather you ask them than take our word for it.
Can I take it every day, long term? That's how the preventative dose is meant to be used one a day, ongoing.
Choosing yours
Which one should I start with? If you're new and it's an ordinary sore, start with Original. If you want relief you can feel right now, add Calm. Everything else exists for a specific situation.
What's the difference between Original and Severe? The real difference is strength, ingredients, and overall potency of the pills.
Can I use more than one at a time? Yes, they're designed to be paired. The usual combination is a pill working from the inside and Calm handling the surface while you wait.