Canker sores are open sores in your mouth. Canker sores are not cancerous, although they are often painful and may take several weeks to heal. The National Center for Biotechnology Information states canker sores are a type of mouth ulcer, and although they may be caused by certain viruses, their cause is often unknown. Certain foods may be helpful in healing your canker sores and reducing your mouth pain, but it is always wise to check with your doctor before using diet and nutrition to treat this health problem.
Canker Sores
Canker sores, also known as aphthous ulcers, are a common health problem affecting many Americans. The New York University Langone Medical Center states canker sores more commonly occur in women than men, and canker sores often first appear in people between the ages of 10 and 40 years. Small, painful red bumps in the tissue lining the inside of your mouth are the most common sign or symptom of canker sores. Some people with this health problem may also experience fever, malaise and swollen lymph nodes.
Dietary Changes
Increasing your consumption of salads, especially salads containing onions, may be particularly helpful in treating your canker sores, states certified nutritional consultant Phyllis A. Balch, author of "Prescription for Nutritional Healing." Onions contain significant amounts of sulfur, which has healing properties in your body. Other beneficial foods for this health problem, notes Balch, include yogurt, kefir, cottage cheese and buttermilk. Consider avoiding citrus fruits, sugar, chewing gum, processed and refined foods and coffee.
Additional Information
Although the exact cause of canker sores remain unknown, possible causes of this painful health problem include minor mouth injuries, inflammatory bowel disease, emotional stress, toothpastes and other consumer products that contain the substance sodium lauryl sulfate. Inadequate consumption of zinc, folate, iron or vitamin B12 may cause canker sores. The Mayo Clinic notes that certain foods or beverages may also trigger canker sores, including coffee, chocolate, eggs, nuts, strawberries, cheese and foods that contain significant amounts of acid. Other beneficial foods or substances that may help treat your canker sores include baking soda, garlic, black tea, tea tree oil and deglycyrrhizinated licorice.
Warning
Canker sores are not life threatening, but if you develop mouth ulcers that last for over 2 weeks, meet with your doctor to eliminate the possibility of cancer. Diet and nutrition have long been used in treating canker sores, although the use of these natural treatments alone may not be enough to resolve your health problem. In most cases, a combination of conventional and alternative treatment measures may be required. Some foods historically used in treating canker sores may require more rigorous scientific research trials to examine their efficacy.
References
- National Center for Biotechnology Information: Canker Sore
- New York University: Aphthous Ulcers
- "Prescription for Nutritional Healing"; Phyllis A. Balch, CNC; 2010
- "The World's Healthiest Foods"; George Mateljan; 2007
- Mayo Clinic: Canker Sore
- Kids Health: Canker Sores
