From the Research
Effective Vitamins for Oral Ulcers
- Vitamin B12 has been shown to be effective in treating oral ulcers, specifically aphthous ulcers, in several studies 1, 2, 3.
- A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial found that vitamin B12 ointment significantly reduced pain levels in patients with aphthous ulcers after 2 days of treatment 1.
- Another study found that sublingual vitamin B12 (1000 μg) reduced the duration and number of ulcers, as well as pain levels, in patients with recurrent aphthous stomatitis 3.
- A review of seven randomized controlled trials found that vitamin B12, particularly the active form methylcobalamin, was effective in treating recurrent aphthous stomatitis 2.
- Vitamin B1, B2, and B6 deficiencies have also been linked to recurrent aphthous ulceration, and replacement therapy has been shown to improve symptoms in deficient patients 4, 5.
Key Findings
- Vitamin B12 has been shown to be effective in reducing pain and improving symptoms in patients with oral ulcers 1, 2, 3.
- The optimal dosage and form of vitamin B12 for treating oral ulcers is still unclear, but sublingual and injectable forms have been shown to be effective 2, 3.
- Deficiencies in vitamin B1, B2, and B6 may also contribute to recurrent aphthous ulceration, and replacement therapy may be beneficial in these cases 4, 5.