Canker Sores Treatment: Vitamins For Mouth Ulcers

Mouth ulcers, also known as canker sores, are tiny lesions in the mouth or the gums. These lesions are painful and could cause severe discomfort. It can also make eating, chewing, talking, and drinking difficult for you. But don’t worry because there are vitamins for mouth ulcers to help ease the pain. These vitamins include iron, zinc, and B vitamins. Check out this link for other treatment options. You can also visit Sure Smile Dental’s clinic in Coopers Plains if you experience other symptoms to make sure that there are no complications.

 

 

Causes of Mouth Ulcers

Till now, the definitive cause of mouth ulcers is still unknown. But canker sores have been proven to have a significant link to the following triggers:

• mouth injuries due to accidents, sports trauma, dental work, or unintended bite
• oral products that are high in sodium lauryl sulfate
• sensitivity to specific foods such as citric fruits, pineapples, strawberry, and other foods such as
• chocolate and coffee
• vitamin deficiency, specifically B vitamins, iron, folate, and zinc
• allergic reaction to bacteria
• effects of dental braces
• changes in hormones due to different reasons
• emotional stress
• fungal infections

Furthermore, canker sores are also associated with severe health conditions such as:

• inflammatory bowel disease
• HIV and Aids
• diabetes mellitus
• celiac disease
• Behcet’s disease

 

 

Symptoms of Canker Sores

The symptoms may differ depending on the root cause. But mouth ulcer symptoms typically include the following;

1. painful sores on different areas of the mouth
2. the skin around the sores are swollen
3. rising problems while tooth brushing and eating
4. irritation gets worse after eating salty, sour, or spicy foods
5. sudden loss of appetite

Mouth ulcers come in three different categories; minor, major, and herpetiform. Let us check them out one by one.

Minor

Minor sores are small ulcers in the mouth the go away on their own. It typically heals in one week without leaving any scar marks.

Major

Major sores are larger in size. They are also more profound and occur with odd shapes and edges. This could last for up to one and a half months and might leave significant scars in the mouth.

Herpetiform

Herpetiform typically occurs in clusters. Its amount could range from 10 to 100 and is often seen in adults. This mouth ulcer has uneven edges and usually takes 14 days to heal.

If you are experiencing the following, be sure to give your doctor a call:

• largemouth ulcers
• consistent canker sores that come and goes
• sores that stay for more than three weeks
• mouth ulcers that reach the lips
• severe pain
• issues with eating and drinking
• high fever and diarrhea

 

 

Mouth Ulcers Treatment

Mouth ulcers do not usually require treatment. But since they can be annoying, you can always opt to try home remedies for canker sores. These techniques will help in healing the sores faster and reduce pain at the same time.

Here are some of the best ways to deal with mouth sores:

• baking soda and salt water rinse
• put some milk of magnesia in the sore area
• make a baking soda paste and cover the canker sore
• get some topical anesthetics to reduce pain
• apply ice
• to alleviate pain and swelling, use an oral product with steroids
• topical pastes can be helpful too
• use a damp tea bag
• consider all the natural home remedies for canker such as chamomile tea, licorice, and myrrh
• know what vitamins to take for mouth ulcers

 

 

Vitamins For Mouth Ulcers

Taking B vitamins for mouth ulcers can reduce the occurrence of canker sores and prevent them from recurring. For your reference, here are some of the vitamins that you should take if you have mouth sores:

Folic acid

Several studies have proven that folic acid can reduce mouth sores effectively. In addition, folic acid supplements can also prevent the occurrence of canker sores. Folic acid helps keep the skin, hair, and nails healthy. Thus, making this B vitamin an essential vitamin to fight off mouth ulcers.

Vitamin B12

People who lack vitamin B12 will most likely develop ulcers. However, that does not mean that people with complete vitamin B12 are safe from it. These B vitamins can reduce the frequency of canker sore occurrence as it alleviates the pain.

Lysine

Lysine is an amino acid that is primarily used in treating canker sores. This can be bought in capsule or liquid form and can be taken every day. Lysine helps in preventing ulcers from developing. So if you are at risk of ulcers, it would be best to take this before the ulcer develops. The dosage will differ, so be sure to ask your doctor about it.

Zinc and Iron

Zinc and iron deficiency have also been associated with mouth ulcers. The best way to reduce canker sores and stop them from happening again is by addressing vitamin deficiency.

 

 

Prevention

The good news is with some changes; mouth ulcers can be prevented. The first step is to know what triggers the conker sores so you can deliberately avoid them. Fruits like pineapple, lemons, oranges, or grapefruit are some of the acidic fruits you need to stay away from. Moreover, spicy foods and peanuts are also a big no-no.

Accidental bites are also one of the common reasons for mouth ulcers. Ant his happens when a person talks too much while chewing. To prevent this, avoid talking while you are eating. Additionally, chewing slowly will also help.

Furthermore, keeping your mouth clean is the best way to prevent bacterial infection. Opt for oral products with fluoride as it fights off germs and bacteria. Do not forget to brush your teeth regularly and use floss and mouthwash daily.

Lastly, be sure to take the right amount of vitamins. We are not just talking about the vitamins for ulcers but the vitamins to keep your body healthy. After all, your overall health should be your top priority.

 

 

 

 

References:

What Causes Mouth Ulcers and How to Treat Them (https://www.healthline.com/health/mouth-ulcers#causes)

Can lysine, vitamin B-12, or other vitamins or minerals help prevent or reduce canker sores? (https://www.consumerlab.com/answers/can-vitamin-b-12-help-prevent-or-reduce-canker-sores/cancer-sores-aphthous-stomatitis/)