FYI — I suffered from canker sores for years, and they got progressively worse as I got older. I tried all the over-the-counter and home remedies, and they helped lessen pain a little, but that's about it. Then a dentist directed me to two products that — pardon the infomercial-type testimonial — have changed my life! The first is Rembrandt's Extra Gentle toothpaste (it used to say "For Canker Sore Sufferers" or something right on the front, but they've relabled it as "Extra Gentle"). It's the only easy-to-find toothpaste without sodium-laurel sulfate. The second is a prescription topical steroid called Fluocinonide. When I do get a sore, I put that on it promptly, and it's amazing how quickly the sore heals.

I know from personal experience that many dentists and doctors have never even heard of this as a treatment for canker sores, which is sad for those patients who could benefit. Just wanted to pass along my 2 cents and personal experience, in case others could be helped too.