Canker sores
Supplements studied for canker sores.
Overview
Canker sore supplement evidence is mixed across agents. Aloe products are often similar to standard gels in reviews, though one recent trial found a specific aloe gel outperformed amlexanox and placebo for pain and sore size.
Vitamin B12—both topical ointment and sublingual supplementation—may reduce pain and outbreak frequency in available studies, even when B12 levels are normal. Berberine gel reduced pain and ulcer size versus placebo in one trial. Multivitamins did not prevent sores in a year-long study, and beta-glucan evidence remains uncertain. See the heatmap and evidence reviews below for comparative trial detail.
Effect graph
Relevant supplements
Relevant supplements sorted by DEX Score.
| Aloe | ★★★★★ | Medium |
| Vitamin B12 | ★★★★★ | Medium |
| Berberine | ★★★★★ | Medium |
| Quercetin | ★★★★★ | Low |
| N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC) | ★★★★★ | Low |
| Beta-Glucan | ★★★★★ | Low |
| Multivitamin | ★★★★★ | Very Low / None |
Studies
Find individual evidence reviews for supplements sorted by DEX Score.
7 supplements for , and rated at least stars. All purchase bands. No minimum star filter.
AloeView supplement →
Consider purchase·★★★★★
How we scored this▸
- Research reviews suggest that aloe products are usually no better than standard treatments or gels for healing mouth ulcers or easing pain.
- One recent study found that a specific aloe gel used several times a day worked better than both a medicine called amlexanox and placebo for reducing pain and sore size.
- Some studies of fermented aloe or aloe’s natural compound acemannan also show possible benefits, such as faster healing, but stronger treatments like steroid gels may still work better for pain.
Browse 7 studies·1 meta-analysis
RCTAssessment of the Effectiveness of Aloe vera Versus Amlexanox in the Treatment of Recurrent Aphthous Ulcers: A Three-Arm Placebo-Controlled Randomized Clinical Trial2022n=20
An RCT in 60 patients with recurrent aphthous ulcers found Aloe vera gel and amlexanox 5% paste both reduced ulcer pain and size, with amlexanox showing faster healing.
- Effect
- Benefit
- Population
- Patients with aphthous stomatitis
- Participants
- 20
- Avg age
- ~20
MetaEffects of Aloe Vera in the Treatment of Oral Ulcers: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomised Controlled Trials2022n=847
A meta-analysis of RCTs (847 patients) found Aloe vera significantly reduced oral ulcer size and pain versus control, though heterogeneity was high across studies.
- Effect
- Benefit
- Population
- Patients with oral ulcers
- Participants
- 847
Clinical trialA Clinic Trial Evaluating the Effects of Aloe Vera Fermentation Gel on Recurrent Aphthous Stomatitis2020n=35
A clinical trial in 35 recurrent aphthous stomatitis patients found Aloe vera fermentation gel shortened healing time and altered oral microbiota versus control.
- Effect
- Benefit
- Duration
- 7–10 days
- Population
- Patients with aphthous stomatitis
- Participants
- 35
- Ages
- 18–60
RCTAcemannan, a polysaccharide extracted from Aloe vera, is effective in the treatment of oral aphthous ulceration2013n=180
In a 7-day RCT of 180 adults with recurrent aphthous ulcers, 0.5% acemannan reduced ulcer size and pain better than placebo but less than 0.1% triamcinolone. It was safe, with no allergic reactions or blood-test changes.
- Effect
- Benefit
- Duration
- 7 days
- Population
- Healthy adults
- Participants
- 180
RCTEvaluation of the therapeutic effects of Aloe vera gel on minor recurrent aphthous stomatitis2012n=40
In a double-blind RCT of 40 patients with minor aphthous ulcers over 2 weeks, topical Aloe vera gel shortened healing time and lowered pain, lesion size, and inflammation versus placebo.
- Effect
- Benefit
- Duration
- 2 weeks
- Population
- Patients with aphthous stomatitis
- Participants
- 40
- Avg age
- 29.25±8.48
RCTEffectiveness of a medicament containing silicon dioxide, aloe, and allantoin on aphthous stomatitis1998
In RCTs over 4 months in aphthous stomatitis, a gel with silicon dioxide, aloe, and allantoin showed inconsistent effects: some lesion reductions in early studies, but no consistent overall benefit.
- Effect
- No Benefit
- Duration
- 4 months
- Population
- Patients with aphthous stomatitis
Evaluation of acemannan in providing pain relief in patients with recurrent aphthous stomatitis1994
This clinical evaluation tested acemannan from Aloe vera for pain relief in recurrent aphthous stomatitis. Without available abstract data, benefit cannot be confirmed from the published record alone.
- Effect
- No Benefit
- Population
- Patients with aphthous stomatitis
BerberineView supplement →
Reconsider purchase·★★★★★
How we scored this▸
- Applying a gel containing berberine to canker sores may help reduce pain and the size of the sores.
- One study found that using berberine gel four times a day for 5 days reduced pain by 26% and made the ulcers smaller by 30% compared to a placebo gel.
- The gel also seemed to reduce redness and fluid from the sores.
- Berberine gel appears to be safe, but it has not yet been compared to standard treatments.
Browse 1 study
RCTEffects of berberine gelatin on recurrent aphthous stomatitis: a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial in a Chinese cohort2012n=84
A 5-day double-blind RCT of 84 recurrent aphthous stomatitis patients found berberine gelatin reduced ulcer pain, size, erythema, and exudation versus placebo.
- Effect
- Benefit
- Duration
- 5 days
- Dose
- 5 mg/day
- Participants
- 84
Vitamin B12View supplement →
Reconsider purchase·★★★★★
How we scored this▸
- Using a vitamin B12 ointment applied four times a day for 2 days can reduce canker sore pain by 80%.
- Taking a vitamin B12 supplement under the tongue daily for 6 months may help shorten outbreaks, reduce the number of sores, and ease pain, even if your vitamin B12 levels are normal.
Browse 2 studies
RCTThe Effectiveness of Vitamin B12 for Relieving Pain in Aphthous Ulcers: A Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Trial2015n=42
A randomized trial of 42 patients with mouth ulcers found that the results of this research study provide evidence that vitamin B12 is an effective analgesic treatment for aphthous ulcers.
- Effect
- Benefit
- Duration
- 2 days
- Population
- Patients With Mouth Ulcers
- Participants
- 42
RCTEffectiveness of vitamin B12 in treating recurrent aphthous stomatitis: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial2009n=58
A randomized trial of 58 found that 1000 mcg/day for 6 months the duration of outbreaks, the number of ulcers, and the level of pain were reduced significantly (P < .05) at 5 and 6 months of treatment with vitamin B(12), regardless of initial vitamin B(12) levels in the blood.
- Effect
- Benefit
- Duration
- 6 months
- Dose
- 1000 mcg/day
- Population
- Adults
- Participants
- 58
Beta-GlucanView supplement →
Reconsider purchase·★★★★★
How we scored this▸
- It is uncertain if beta-glucans help canker sores.
Browse 1 study
RCTThe effect of beta-glucan on recurrent aphthous stomatitis2009
A randomized controlled trial of oral beta-glucan for recurrent aphthous stomatitis was identified, but available abstract text was insufficient to report specific outcomes.
- Population
- Patients with aphthous stomatitis
N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC)View supplement →
Reconsider purchase·★★★★★
How we scored this▸
- In people with recurring canker sores, rinsing the mouth with N-acetylcysteine (NAC) 200 mg for 30 seconds worked about as well as 0.12% chlorhexidine for healing and pain.
- But NAC reduced pain much more—by 50% to 90%—in the days following treatment compared to chlorhexidine.
Browse 1 study
RCTN-acetylcysteine versus chlorhexidine in treatment of aphthous ulcers: a preliminary clinical trial2021n=38
A preliminary RCT found NAC mouth rinse was comparable to chlorhexidine for aphthous ulcer healing and pain reduction.
- Effect
- Benefit
- Dose
- 200 mg
- Population
- ALL patients
- Participants
- 38
- Avg age
- ~28
QuercetinView supplement →
Reconsider purchase·★★★★★
How we scored this▸
- It is unclear if quercetin alone helps with canker sores when applied topically.
- Early research shows that a cream containing quercetin and other ingredients healed minor canker sores and eased pain in all patients within 7 to 10 days, which was better than a mouthwash used three times daily that healed 60% of patients.
Browse 1 study
RCTManagement of aphthous ulceration with topical quercetin: a randomized clinical trial2010n=20
In 40 aphthous ulcer patients, topical quercetin healed 100% of ulcers within 7–10 days versus benzydamine mouthwash, with smaller mean ulcer size at 10 days (p<0.004).
- Effect
- Benefit
- Duration
- 7–10 days
- Population
- Patients with no known pathology of the oral mucosa other than m
- Participants
- 20
MultivitaminView supplement →
Do not purchase·★★★★★
How we scored this▸
- Taking a daily multivitamin doesn’t seem to help prevent or shorten canker sores.
- Early research shows that people who took a standard daily vitamin for a year had about the same number and duration of sores as those who took a placebo.
Browse 1 study
RCTMultivitamin therapy for recurrent aphthous stomatitis: a randomized, double-masked, placebo-controlled trial2012n=83
A double-blind RCT of 83 patients with recurrent aphthous stomatitis found multivitamin therapy did not significantly reduce ulcer frequency versus placebo.
- Effect
- No Benefit
- Duration
- 365 days
- Population
- Adults
- Participants
- 83
Evidence visualised
Same ratings as above, aggregated so you can see coverage and imbalance.
| Supplement | DEX | Studies | Meta-analyses | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aloe | ★★★★★72% | 7 | 1 | 50% |
| Vitamin B12 | ★★★★★56% | 2 | 0 | 14% |
| Berberine | ★★★★★56% | 1 | 0 | 7% |
| Beta-Glucan | ★★★★★44% | 1 | 0 | 7% |
| Multivitamin | ★★★★★32% | 1 | 0 | 7% |
| N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC) | ★★★★★44% | 1 | 0 | 7% |
| Quercetin | ★★★★★44% | 1 | 0 | 7% |