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Prevention
By Mayo Clinic staffCanker sores often recur, but you may be able to reduce their frequency by addressing factors that seem to trigger them:
- Watch what you eat. Try to avoid foods that seem to irritate your mouth. These may include nuts, chips, pretzels, certain spices, salty foods and acidic fruits, such as pineapple, grapefruit and oranges. Be sure to avoid any foods to which you're sensitive or allergic.
- Choose healthy foods. To help prevent nutritional deficiencies, eat plenty of fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Regularly eating yogurt that contains acidophilus or other beneficial bacteria also may help ward off canker sores.
- Don't chew and talk at the same time. You could cause minor trauma to the delicate lining of your mouth.
- Follow good oral hygiene habits. Regular brushing after meals and flossing once a day can keep your mouth clean and free of foods that might trigger a sore. Use a soft brush to help prevent irritation to delicate mouth tissues, and avoid toothpastes and mouth rinses that contain sodium lauryl sulfate.
- Protect your mouth. If you have braces or other dental appliances, ask your dentist about orthodontic waxes to cover sharp edges.
References
- Morelli JG. Disorders of the mucous membranes. In: Kliegman RM, et al. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 18th ed. Saunders Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/174218004-3/925169573/1608/1550.html#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-2450-7..50665-4--cesec7_12116. Accessed Dec. 4, 2009.
- Leggiadro RJ. Infections of the oral cavity. In: Long SS, et al., eds. Principles and Practice of Pediatric Infectious Diseases. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Churchill Livingstone Elsevier; 2008. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/174218004-3/925169573/1679/31.html#4-u1.0-B978-0-443-06687-0..50030-8--cesec16_721. Accessed Dec. 4, 2009.
- Travers JB, et al. Physiology of the oral cavity. In: Cummings CW, et al. Otolaryngology: Head & Neck Surgery. 4th ed. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/174218004-4/0/1263/586.html?tocnode=49543605&fromURL=586.html#4-u1.0-B0-323-01985-4..50067-8--cesec61_2453. Accessed Dec. 4, 2009.
- Common mouth sores. American Dental Association. http://www.ada.org/public/topics/mouth_sores.asp. Accessed Dec. 4, 2009.
- Mouth sores. The Merck Manuals: Home Edition for Patients and Caregivers. http://www.merck.com/mmhe/sec08/ch112/ch112a.html. Accessed Dec. 4, 2009.
- Amsterdam JT. Oral medicine. In: Marx JA, et al., eds. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 6th ed. St. Louis, Mo.: Mosby; 2006. http://www.mdconsult.com/book/player/book.do?method=display&type=bookPage&decorator=header&eid=4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05472-0..00068-2--s0160&uniq=174218004&isbn=978-0-323-05472-0&sid=925188259.Accessed Dec. 4, 2009.
- Rakel D, et al. Recurrent aphthous ulceration. In: Rakel RE. Integrative Medicine. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/174218004-8/925191198/1494/118.html#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-2954-0..50075-2_3684. Accessed Dec. 4, 2009.
- Gibson LE (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Dec. 9, 2009.
- Benzocaine topical products: Sprays, gels and liquids — risk of methemoglobinemia. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch/SafetyInformation/SafetyAlertsforHumanMedicalProducts/ucm250264.htm. Accessed Apr. 8, 2011.
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