The term "mouth ulcers" refers to sores or open lesions in the mouth caused by a variety of conditions including cancer, infections, immune system problems and damage or abrasions related to braces or dentures, self-inflicted bites or other problems. Mouth ulcers are often difficult for the affected person to see. People often discover them when they experience discomfort and exploration with the tongue or fingertips confirms the presence of an abnormality. Diets for mouth ulcers focus on avoiding irritants and keeping the mouth clean to promote healing.
Significance
Mouth ulcer diets focus primarily on avoiding irritants that can make symptoms worse and delay healing. Common irritants include hot, spicy, salty, acidic and abrasive foods and beverages. However, irritants also vary from person to person. A good rule of thumb is that if a food or drink causes discomfort, it should be avoided until the mouth ulcer heals. Since oral hygiene also plays a role in mouth ulcer healing, it also helps to brush or at least rinse with antiseptic mouthwash after every meal or snack. MedlinePlus, a patient information service jointly maintained by the National Institutes of Health and the National Library of Medicine, notes that good oral hygiene may actually prevent some mouth ulcers from developing in the first place.
Foods to Enjoy
Cold foods and beverages actually soothe painful mouth ulcers, although room temperature choices do no harm. Cooking foods---especially fruits and vegetables---reduces their abrasive qualities. Fresh or frozen foods are good choices because they contain less acid than canned food and less salt than processed foods. Grain dishes and plain, unseasoned meat and also help because both meat and grains contain little acid and hover around a neutral pH. Sipping ice water, iced tea or cold milk during meals washes away debris and irritants from other foods, especially if the person does not have time to brush.
Foods to Limit
Fruits and vegetables are rich in nutrients that support the immune system, but many of them contain acids that can make mouth ulcers worse and contribute to discomfort. Fruits and vegetables that should be enjoyed in moderation until symptoms subside include apples, apricots, mangos, nectarines, oranges, peaches, pears, plums, berries and tomatoes. Juices, sauces and preserves are often more irritating than the whole fruit. Although the Dietary Guidelines for Americans encourage people to eat fewer sweets in general, it's particularly important for people with mouth ulcers to limit sweets because bacteria in the mouth ferment them to acids that delay mouth ulcer healing and contribute to tooth decay.
Foods to Avoid
Salty foods like pretzels and heavily spiced foods like curries make mouth sores sting. Highly acidic fruits such as lime, lemon, pineapples, grapefruit and pomegranates have the same effect. Pickled foods and foods like salad dressing that feature vinegar as a main ingredient should also be avoided because of their acid content. Nuts and seeds are abrasive, scratching and scraping mouth ulcers, and often leaving small, hard particles behind.
Considerations
For people who experience persistent discomfort, the American Dental Association recommends over-the-counter medications that contain numbing agents. In some cases, applying a homemade paste made from baking soda or crushed antacid also helps. Diet does not replace conventional medical treatment for mouth ulcers or any other problem. People who experience severe, recurrent or long-lasting---longer than two weeks---mouth ulcers should consult a doctor or dentist, as should people who also experience symptoms that affect other areas of the body, like fever or skin rashes.
