Have you ever noticed small, yellowish sores inside or near your mouth? Are they associated with a “tingling” sensation? If so, you have likely experienced mouth ulcers (most commonly known as “canker sores”). They are a common oral condition among people aged ten to forty years old. There are no clear causes for canker sores but there are ways to lessen their pain.
Certain foods can aggravate canker sores. Holidays are often a time of indulgence. To minimize canker sore pain, a good course of action is to consume these foods in moderation or remove them from your diet:
1. Spicy food. Dishes containing spicy ingredients (like peppers) can worsen canker sores and pain. If you’re planning to eat spicy meals, do so in small portions.
2. Acidic food. Acidic food can irritate canker sores. Fruits such as strawberries, pineapples, grapefruits, and oranges contain citric acid that can potentially worsen canker sores.
3. Salty snacks. Nuts, chips, pretzels, and other salty snacks can trigger canker sores. Steer clear of these snacks.
4. Coffee. This drink contains salicylic acid, an ingredient that can bother canker sores or initiate a worse canker sore breakout.
5. Soda. Pop and soda usually have corn syrup and phosphoric acid as ingredients, which will worsen current canker sores.
6. Chocolate. Canker sores can be developed by certain food allergies, including chocolate. Luckily, this “allergy” can be caused by additives to chocolate candy (e.g. milk, nuts, soy). You can still consume chocolate if it is pure or the brand does not contain potential allergens. However, for someone who already has canker sores, chocolates should be consumed in small amounts, if at all.
7. Cheese. Cheese/lactose can also worsen canker sores.
With the right precautions, you can reduce canker sore pain and breakouts. While no one knows the true cause of canker sores, their symptoms can be minimized by avoiding certain foods. If you have canker sore concerns, schedule an appointment with Simcoe Smile Dental at (289) 312-1482.