Mouth ulcers, the official name for canker sores, affect more than 58 million Americans.

Canker sores tend to occur on the insides of the gums, lips, and cheeks.

They begin as a small reddened bump, and then quickly become an irritated sore, covered by a white or yellowish membrane.

Without treatment, most canker sores will heal by themselves- but it can take two weeks or more.

A new patch made from edible ingredients holds some promise in the treatment of canker sores; reducing the healing time from weeks to hours.

Quantum Health’s Canker Cover seals the sore for up to 12 hours, protecting it from further irritation, such as caused by food, drink, teeth, and tongue.

One patch heals a sore in 8-12 hours, for most people, and the patch releases edible ingredients: sea salt, citrus oil, and menthol. Each of these diminishes pain and speeds healing.

A recent study published in the Journal of Pharmaceutical Science found that out of 248 participants, 149 had their canker sores healed in eight hours. This study was funded by the makers of the patch, but the results are impressive.

Canker cover may offer a new fast treatment for fast healing of annoying (and painful!) mouth ulcers.