These small mouth ulcers can be the result of our diet.
- The first canker sores appear in childhood and are less frequent after 50 years.
- It takes between 10 and 15 days to heal from a canker sore.
- 20% of the population has canker sores regularly.
Canker sores are not serious but very unpleasant. The precise cause of a canker sore is difficult to know, but certain factors increase the risk. Taking medication, stress, fatigue or certain illnesses can cause it. People deficient in iron or vitamin B12 are also more likely to suffer from it, such as those with Crohn’s disease. Our diet is also one of the potential causes of canker sores.
Pineapple, Comté or coffee
Coffee increases the risk of canker sores appearing in the mouth. This is also the case for nuts, such as cashews or almonds. For the latter, it would suffice to soak them for about thirty minutes in water to avoid mouth ulcers.
On the fruit side, acidity seems to be a risk factor, since pineapples, raw tomatoes, strawberries and all citrus fruits increase the likelihood of developing canker sores. Cheeses, such as Comté, Gouda or Parmesan are also associated with these lesions. Their appearance can also be a sign of celiac disease, which suggests that foods rich in gluten could generate canker sores in some people. Finally, spices often contain histamine, a chemical compound that causes inflammatory reactions, and this can cause canker sores.
Unknown mechanisms
“Contrary to popular belief, pineapple is not the cause of canker sores, but it can promote their appearanceexplains dental surgeon Christophe Lequart, spokesperson for the French Union for Oral Health at Science and Future. According to him, it is not the foods directly that are responsible for canker sores but their impact on our oral health. Thus, all those mentioned above can dry out the tissues and make the mucous membrane of the mouth a fertile ground. “The mechanisms at the origin of these small painful and common ulcers inside the mouth remain unknown; doctors think they could be from stress or fatiguecontinues Christophe Lequart. As for recalcitrant canker sores, they could be linked to a deregulation of the immune system..
Should we be worried?
Non-contagious, canker sores heal in a few days. While waiting for the cure, it is better to avoid consuming the foods mentioned above, as they can accentuate the pain. If the discomfort is too great, gels sold in pharmacies can be applied to the wound: they make it possible to slightly anesthetize the area concerned. Otherwise, mouthwashes are another possibility. In the rare case where the pain is too great, it is better to consult a dentist.
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