Duration and Intensity of Anesthetic Effect Produced by Canker Sore Medications

Canker sore medications are often recommended to patients for relief of pain associated with aphthous ulcers or other minor irritations of the mouth. The anesthetic effect of these medications is achieved by incorporation of local anesthetics, such as benzocaine, into the products' formulations. To determine the duration and intensity of the anesthetic effect of benzocaine-containing products, three topical oral health care medications, Red Cross Canker Sore Medication, Maximum Strength Anbesol and Orajel Mouth Aid, were compared. In this double blind cross-over study, each product was tested on 21 subjects with normal mucosa and gingiva. All three products produced anesthetic effects. Red Cross Canker Sore Medication was shown to have the longest duration and greatest intensity.