Dear Alice,
I always have multiple mouth sore (stomatitis?) in my mouth (sometimes four or five at a time). They are really irritating and I can't enjoy my meal. I think my diet is pretty normal, however, I usually prefer meat to vegetables. Could you tell me what are the causes of this mouth sore and how I can prevent them? Do you have any suggestion on what kind of food or medicine I should take? Thank you very much for your help.
—Sore mouth
Dear Sore mouth,
What you describe sounds similar to canker sores — acute, painful ulcers in the mouth that occur singly or in groups. You are probably right to think that diet has something to do with their formation. Deficiencies of iron, Vitamin B12, calcium, and folic acid have all been correlated with increased outbreaks of canker sores. So, a well-balanced eating plan — including vegetables! — would help this aspect of your problem. Many other things have been associated with canker sore formation: hormonal change, genetics, emotional stress or anxiety, and mechanical trauma (stabbing yourself accidentally with your toothbrush), to name a few. Perhaps with close attention, you can determine what triggers your canker sores and avoid or fix it.
In the meantime, popular and health care provider-recommended home remedies include rinsing the mouth out with salt water or applying hydrogen peroxide or milk of magnesia directly on the sore. For temporary pain relief, a benzocaine-containing ointment or liquid (available at the local drugstore) can be applied to the sore. As with many aches and pains, swallowing an aspirin or ibuprofen tablet may also help you enjoy your meals. Also, you may find your meals less aggravating if you avoid spicy, salty, or acidic foods.
If your sores last for longer than a week or if you have other symptoms of illness along with the sores, a visit to a health care provider would be in order.
- Alice
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Mouth sores?
