Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2

Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) has some scientific basis for its use in the management of canker sores (aphthous ulcers), though the evidence is limited and not robust. Canker sores are small, painful ulcers that occur inside the mouth, and their exact cause is not fully understood, but they are sometimes associated with minor trauma, stress, immune dysfunction, or nutritional deficiencies—including vitamin C deficiency.

Vitamin C plays a critical role in collagen synthesis, wound healing, and immune system support. Historically, deficiency in vitamin C (scurvy) often manifests with gum disease and oral ulcerations, which supports the rationale that adequate vitamin C is necessary for oral mucosal health. Some small clinical studies and case reports have found that vitamin C supplementation, particularly in individuals with a deficiency, may reduce the frequency or severity of canker sores or speed their healing. For example, a few trials have reported reduced healing time and pain intensity when vitamin C was administered, either orally or as a topical preparation.

However, the majority of available studies are small, lack rigorous controls, or are of low quality. Systematic reviews and meta-analyses have concluded that, while vitamin C supplementation may be helpful in cases of deficiency, there is insufficient strong evidence to recommend routine use of vitamin C for canker sores in the general population. Most clinical guidelines do not list vitamin C as a first-line treatment, but supplementation may be considered in people who are at risk of deficiency.

More about vitamin C
More about Canker Sores

Other ingredients used for Canker Sores

Other health conditions supported by vitamin C

Products containing vitamin C

Nature's Sunshine Love and Peas (Sugar Free)
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Nature's Sunshine Bowel Detox
Nature's Sunshine Children's Elderberry Immune
Nature's Sunshine Children's MultiVitamin & Mineral
Nature's Sunshine Cortisol Formula (Nature's Cortisol Formula)
Nature's Sunshine Defense Maintenance
Nature's Sunshine Detox Basics (Best used by 7/31/25)
Nature's Sunshine Dieter's Cleanse
Nature's Sunshine Glandular System
Nature's Sunshine Grapine With Protectors (SynerPro)
Nature's Sunshine Hepatic System
Nature's Sunshine Iron (Chelated)
Nature's Sunshine Love and Peas
Nature's Sunshine Marine Collagen
Nature's Sunshine Marine Glo Collagen
Nature's Sunshine Master Gland Formula®
Nature's Sunshine Mega-Chel
Nature's Sunshine Milk Thistle Combination
Nature's Sunshine MultiVitamin & Mineral (SynerPro)
Nature's Sunshine MultiVitamin & Mineral (Time Release)
Nature's Sunshine Natural Changes
Nature's Sunshine Nature's Prenatal
Nature's Sunshine Nature's Harvest
Nature's Sunshine Nervous System (30 Day Program)
Nature's Sunshine Nutri-Calm
Nature's Sunshine Nutri-Calm
Nature's Sunshine Perfect Eyes
Nature's Sunshine Power Beets Pouch
Nature's Sunshine Power Beets To-Go Packs
Nature's Sunshine Power Greens
Nature's Sunshine Power Greens To-Go
Nature's Sunshine Skeletal Strength
Nature's Sunshine Solstic Twenty-Four
Nature's Sunshine Solstic Immune
Nature's Sunshine Solstic Revive
Nature's Sunshine Structural System (30 Day Program)
Nature's Sunshine Super Supplemental
Nature's Sunshine Super Supplemental (Without Iron)
Nature's Sunshine Super Trio
Nature's Sunshine Vari-Gone
Nature's Sunshine Vitamin C (1000 mg, Time Release)
Nature's Sunshine Vitamin C (1000 mg, Time Release)
Nature's Sunshine Vitamin C Ascorbates
Nature's Sunshine Chewable Vitamin C
Nature's Sunshine Citrus Bioflavonoids (Vitamin C)
Nature's Sunshine Zinc Lozenge