DURATION AND INTENSITY OF ANESTHETIC EFFECT PRODUCED BY CANKER SORE MEDICATIONS

Canker sore medications are often recommended to patients for relief o f pain associated with aphthous ulcers or other minor irritations of t he mouth. The anesthetic effect of these medications is achieved by in corporation of local anesthetics, such as benzocaine, into the product s' formulations. To determine the duration and intensity of the anesth etic effect of benzocaine-containing products, three topical oral heal th care medications, Red Cross Canker Sore Medication, Maximum Strengt h Anbesol and Orajel Mouth Aid, were compared. In this double blind cr oss-over study, each product was tested on 21 subjects with normal muc osa and gingiva. All three products produced anesthetic effects. Red C ross Canker Sore Medication was shown to have the longest duration and greatest intensity.