Mouth ulcers. What a pain in the mouth! Today we’re going to talk about those pesky unwanted guests. And go over some tips so you can see them less often.
Mouth ulcers occur when the thin membrane that lines the mouth becomes damaged in some way. The body goes into repair mode, attempting to heal. But the result is an inflamed and painful lump.
Everyone gets mouth ulcers from time to time. But if yours occur more frequently, your mouth might be telling you there’s a deeper problem. Getting an ulcer a couple of times a month might be a sign that your mouth and health need your attention.
In this post, we’re going to take a look at the reasons why you keep getting mouth ulcers . And we’ll discuss what you can do about them. How about that for food for thought!
Burns From Eating Hot Food
Are you one of those people who just can’t wait to eat? You say that patience is so overrated. But if you regularly gobble down super hot food, you might be at higher risk of developing mouth ulcer.
Eating warm food is okay. But when food is too hot, it burns the lining of the mouth and damages the delicate membrane. And when this happens, you have an opportunity for a bacterial infection and inflammation.
Next time you make yourself a hot soup, take some time to let it cool. I know, you’re hungry now! But if you just wait a few minutes to let the temperature to cool, your mouth will thank you later.
Lack Of Iron In The Diet
Women typically need more iron than men – around 15 mg per day! Getting all that from diet alone, however, can be a challenge. Usually, you need to eat a couple of cups of beans and greens to satisfy your body.
Interestingly, iron deficiency symptoms include mouth ulcers. So if you have one, it could be a sign that you’re not taking in enough of this essential mineral. Try taking an iron capsule or upping your intake of cooked leafy greens and see if that resolves the problem.
Burns From Mouthwashes
Are you somebody who likes to use mouthwash in the morning? If so, you’re not alone. But here’s something that you might find surprising. You could also be doing damage to the lining of your mouth, especially if you use an alcohol-based product.
If you must use mouthwash, you want to switch to a non-alcohol variant. These will help prevent membrane damage that leads to ulcers.
Accidentally Biting Your Cheek
I’m sure you’ve bitten your cheek by accident. Ouch! That really hurts.
But biting your cheek doesn’t just lead to pain – it can result in mouth ulcers! Unfortunately, there isn’t much you can do about this other than try to chew more mindfully.
Underlying Inflammatory Conditions
Finally, the root of your mouth ulcers might be an inflammatory condition that affects the lower bowel. The same immune response that affects the colon could damage the cells in your cheek membranes too. And that leaves you more prone to ulcers.
Inflammatory conditions, like Crohn’s, are difficult to treat, even with modern medications. However, there is now ample evidence that making lifestyle changes can help deal with both the ulcers and the underlying medical condition. Many people go into remission, sometimes for years at a time.
So now you know why you might be getting those pesky mouth ulcers. Now it’s time to check in and see what changes you can make to help keep them from making a surprise appearance!
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