A mouth ulcer is a small, painful sore that forms on the gums, lips, tongue, inner cheeks, or roof of the mouth. These common lesions can arise from various factors, including minor injuries like accidentally biting your cheek, stress, or even certain vitamin deficiencies. While most mouth ulcers typically heal on their own within one to two weeks, adjusting your diet can significantly reduce discomfort and support the healing process. This article guides on foods and eating habits to adopt or avoid when dealing with a mouth ulcer.
Foods to Limit or Exclude
Certain foods and beverages can irritate mouth ulcers, potentially worsening pain or delaying healing. Acidic items, such as citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and grapefruits, along with tomatoes and their sauces, can cause a stinging sensation due to their low pH, which directly affects the sensitive mucous membranes. Similarly, acidic drinks like coffee, alcohol, and carbonated beverages can exacerbate discomfort.
Spicy foods containing capsaicin, found in chili peppers and hot sauces, can trigger pain receptors and inflame an existing ulcer, even though they do not cause ulcers themselves. Rough, crunchy, or hard foods like chips, nuts, and crusty bread can physically scrape against the ulcer, causing further trauma and pain. Highly salted snacks, including pretzels or some processed meats, can also cause osmotic irritation and increase discomfort.
Consuming foods or drinks that are too hot in temperature, such as very hot soups, coffee, or tea, can cause thermal irritation or even burns to the oral mucosa. High temperatures can damage delicate tissue and prolong healing. Allowing these items to cool down before consumption helps prevent such irritation.
Soothing and Healing Foods
Opting for soft, bland foods can provide comfort and support healing. Items like mashed potatoes, well-cooked pasta, scrambled eggs, and soft cheeses are easy to chew and swallow, minimizing irritation to the ulcer. Ripe bananas, avocados, and pureed soups are also gentle choices that offer essential nutrients without causing discomfort.
Cool or cold foods and beverages can help numb the affected area and provide relief. Ice cream in moderation, smoothies, chilled soups, and popsicles are soothing options that can temporarily alleviate pain. Plain yogurt, cottage cheese, and milk also offer a smooth texture and can provide a protective coating in the mouth.
For tissue repair, it is helpful to include nutrient-rich foods. Foods containing B vitamins, particularly B12, folate, and other B vitamins (B1, B2, B6), along with iron, zinc, and vitamin C, play a role in cell regeneration and immune function. Many soft foods like fortified cereals, leafy greens (blended into smoothies), and lean proteins can contribute to meeting these nutritional needs.
Practical Eating Strategies
Adjusting how you eat can significantly minimize discomfort when you have a mouth ulcer. Taking small bites and eating slowly helps reduce mechanical trauma to the affected area. If the ulcer is on one side of your mouth, try to chew food on the opposite side to avoid direct contact and further irritation.
Maintaining good hydration by drinking plenty of water is beneficial, and using a straw for some beverages can help bypass the ulcer, preventing direct contact. Gently rinsing your mouth with plain water after eating can help remove food particles and maintain cleanliness around the ulcer. While most mouth ulcers resolve naturally, if an ulcer persists for longer than two to three weeks, is recurrent, bleeds, or is accompanied by other concerning symptoms, it is advisable to seek medical attention.