Mouth Ulcers
Mouth ulcers are small, white or yellow-white, superficial painful ulcers that involve the inflammation or destruction of the mucous membranes that line the mouth. They usually afflict the mouth, inner cheeks, tongue or lips. Mouth ulcers are usually painful for three to four days and symptoms generally diminish in seven to ten days.
Small painful blisters/ pimples which appear on the tongue can be very uncomfortable as well as painful. Generally these can be attributed to a diet which is too acidic. The mouth is essentially part of the digestive tract and symptoms which arise in the mouth can generally show the health of the entire digestive tract. In Chinese Medicine inflammatory digestive complaints where there is heat and redness are associated with a decrease in liver function and an excess heat condition. Mouth ulcers may cause halitosis (bad breath) and further digestive complications if left unadressed.
OTHER CAUSES OF MOUTH ULCERS
- Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (a constituent of toothpaste)
- Sulfonamides (contained in many pharmaceutical Antibiotics)
- Allergic reactions (Gluten or Celiac Disease)
- Acidic diet
- Candida
- Excessive stress
- Poor mouth hygiene
- B Vitamin deficinency
- Digestive/ Bowel stagnation
- High sugar diet
- Liver heat
- Low digestive bacteria
DIET TIPS FOR MOUTH ULCERS
- Reduce acid forming foods such as tea, coffee, alcohol, soft drinks, dairy, wheat, sugar, preserved, processed, refined and tinned foods
- Increase alkalising foods such as plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, water, lemon juice, vegetable juices, green barley powder, grains, nuts, seeds and green leafy vegetables
- Eat cooling foods such as watermelon, cucumber, papaya, banana, grapefruit, brown rice, zucchini, yoghurt, pears and apples
- Make a warm lemon and Manuka honey drink as these will not only improve digestion but Manuka honey contains anti-bacterial properties to improve mouth hygiene
- Drink herbal teas to help increase water consumption and to also improve digestion and reduce acid. Some tasty teas are Peppermint, Chamomile, Ginger, Burdock, Dandelion and Lemon
- Tumeric added to some lime juice to make a paste and applied to the affected area may help to heal the ulcer while providing pain relief
- Take 5ml of apple cider vinegar before meals as this helps to reduce digestive acidity
- Mouth ulcers may also occur as a result of Lysine deficiency. Foods which are high in the amino acid Lysine are fish, sprouts, dairy foods, kidney beans, split peas, eggs, brewers yeast, fruit and vegetables, chicken, lamb and cheese
LIFESTYLE FACTORS FOR MOUTH ULCERS
- Consider doing a liver detoxification diet to cleanse the blood and ensure that your liver and digestive functions are optimal
- Manage stress
- Address excessive liver heat by undergoing a liver detoxification program
NATURAL REMEDIES FOR MOUTH ULCERS
- Digestive enzymes or eating more foods which contain naturally occuring digestive enzymes such as pineapple, papaya, beetroots, green leafy vegetables or lemon juice
- Make a paste out of a small amount of slippery elm powder and Manuka Honey and apply it to the areas of the tongue which are affected or alternatively add some to a small glass of water and swish it around the mouth before swallowing
- Cod liver oil is high in Vitamins A & D to improve the health and integrity of the mucous membranes while helping them to heal and regenerate
- The amino acid Glutamine may help accelerate the healing of open sores such as mouth ulcers, thereby reducing the pain associated with them as well as reducing the incidence of them
- Probiotics may help to recorrect a digestive bacteria imbalance. Reoccurring mouth ulcers may occur due to low amounts of the bacteria which maintains the health of the mouth and gums
- Herbs may help to reduce the incidence of mouth ulcers and reduce their reoccurrence – Neem, Echinacea, Propolis, Manuka Honey, Calendula, Chamomile, Aloe Vera, Licorice, Golden Seal and Grapefruit seed extract