How To Prevent Canker Sores – A Checklist For Good Health


Canker sores are ulcers that are usually formed within the mouth. During activities such as brushing teeth, eating, or speaking, when the sore comes in contact with your objects like the tongue or the brush, you are bound to experience a sharp, agonizing pain. While no one knows for sure how these sores form, there is some information available about the probable triggers that cause them. Understanding these triggers is important to know how to prevent canker sores from recurring time and again.

how to prevent canker sores
Learn how to prevent canker sores with a few simple measures.

How To Prevent Canker Sores – Foods To Stay Away From

Certain foods are known to lead to the development of canker sores because of their contents – too much acid, spice, or repeated friction against the inner surfaces of the mouth. For example, vegetables such as tomatoes, and fruits such as oranges, limes, strawberries, and pineapples are high in acidic content. For this reason, people with a tendency to get canker sores should avoid consuming such foods as far as possible.

How To Prevent Canker Sores – Some Simple Tips

  • Follow A Healthy Diet: Deficiency of vitamins such as folic acid and vitamin B-12, and minerals such as iron, zinc, and selenium has been linked to mouth canker sores. Eating healthy, balanced meals that contain sufficient amounts of minerals and vitamins can help keep canker sores at bay.
  • Take Good Care Of Your Teeth: Food debris trapped between the teeth may also trigger mouth canker sores, so it is vital that you brush and floss regularly. The effectiveness of your dental care regimen also depends upon the type of toothbrush and toothpaste you use. A toothbrush with hard bristles can brush against the gums and the inner surfaces of the lips or the palate, causing injury that triggers mouth canker sores. Similarly, toothpastes or mouthwashes that contain a certain compound (sodium lauryl sulfate) with foaming properties have been known to increase the probability of mouth canker sores, as this compound causes the oral surfaces to dry out and makes them more susceptible to injury and irritation.
  • Cut Down On Chewing Gum: If you chew gum often, you may develop canker sores because the gum causes irritation to the surfaces of the oral cavity. If you cut down on the amount of gum you chew, you are likely to see fewer and less severe episodes of oral canker sores.
  • Eat Unhurriedly: Occasionally you may develop canker sores when you hurriedly bite down hard on your tongue, lips, or cheeks instead of the food. The best way to avoid this is to ensure that you set aside sufficient time to eat in a relaxed frame of mind.
  • Monitor Your Intake Of Prescription Drugs: Observe if certain drugs you take set off the occurrence of sores. Chemotherapy drugs, beta blockers taken for high blood pressure, and prescription painkillers belonging to the class of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are all known to increase the incidence of canker sores. Consult your doctor for useful alternatives.
  • Avoid Other Triggers: In some people, canker sores may be triggered by a food allergy. If you consume something you are allergic to, it could lead to these painful ulcers. Maintain a food diary to find out if your mouth sores are linked to eating particular foods, and once you find a connection, avoid those diligently.

These measures can largely reduce the chances of suffering from oral canker sores. However, if you find that your sores keep recurring, or appear to spread from one part of the mouth to another, or last for a long time, a dentist or a physician can tell you how to prevent canker sores by diagnosing their underlying cause.


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