According to the dietary hypothesis, however, the onset of canker sores in predisposed subjects would be facilitated by a diet that is too rich in alcohol, spicy foods, animal fats, dried fruit, mustard, cheese and chocolate.
The deficiency of some minerals, such as zinc and especially iron, is also significantly associated with the presence of canker sores of the oral mucosa (26.3% in the presence of iron deficiency anemia).
Similarly, the origin of canker sores has been associated with vitamin deficiencies and, in particular, a lack of vitamin B12 (deficient in vegans) and folic acid or vitamin B9 (deficient when not enough fresh vegetables are consumed).
Finally, in some cases, mouth ulcers can be triggered by underlying diseases not yet identified and diagnosed.
or some types of neoplastic pathologies (tumors), but not only.
In fact, in addition to the mucous membranes of the oral cavity (lips, cheeks, tongue and sublingual region), canker sores can also extend to the semi-mucous membranes and genital mucous membranes (foreskin, glans, small and large lips). This condition, associated with ocular alterations (iritis) and sometimes with lesions of other organs, is typical of great aphthosis or Behçet's syndrome, of which an autoimmune origin has also been suggested.
Hence the importance of not underestimating this disorder, since it could represent the sign of a possible underlying disease, sometimes even very serious.
Since the causes that lead to the origin of mouth ulcers have not yet been fully clarified, there is no single treatment that can cure them.
Naturally, in the event that canker sores constitute the sign and / or symptom of other basic pathologies, it is essential to identify them, in order to be able to make an early diagnosis and in order to intervene promptly with the most appropriate therapy.
If, on the other hand, the etiology of the canker sores is not known, it is possible to intervene with different approaches.
Precisely in this regard, it is first of all important to dispel the myth according to which the use of alcohol and acidic or spicy foods would be useful to disinfect canker sores and accelerate their healing.
In fact, these highly questionable practices have no scientific basis and the only effect they can produce is an exacerbation of pain, already in itself accentuated by food intake.
For example, propolis is a very useful natural remedy thanks to its antiseptic power, provided that it is not taken in the form of hydroalcoholic tincture. The alcohol contained in it, in fact, would only worsen the pain typically triggered by these injuries.
However, there is still no particularly effective treatment in fighting mouth ulcers. However, it may be useful to take foods, supplements and medicines capable of increasing physical and, above all, immune efficiency (vitamins, probiotics, minerals).
In the same way, the use of psychophysical relaxation practices to reduce stress has also proved useful.
As for any drug therapy, however, it may be useful to use gels or mouthwashes based on anti-inflammatory drugs, or based on antiseptic substances such as, for example, chlorhexidine.
The topical use of local anesthetics such as lidocaine, on the other hand, can be very useful for obtaining relief from the pain that characterizes mouth ulcers.
The topical use of corticosteroids, to be taken in the form of mouthwashes or massage pastes, has been shown to be useful in reducing the severity and duration of ulcerations, but has no effect on the frequency of aphthotic episodes. However, it should be remembered that the "Use of this type of drug in the treatment of mouth ulcers should be done in moderation and only under medical supervision.
The use of topical antibiotics, on the other hand, is mostly reserved for the treatment of particularly large canker sores, but even in this case, this treatment must be carried out only if the doctor prescribes it.
Rinses with mouthwashes containing antibiotics, on the other hand, can be done to prevent bacterial infections and complications secondary to ulcerative lesions.
In the presence of particularly painful canker sores, the use of painkilling drugs can provide relief to the patient.
Finally, in the most serious cases, the approach with systemic therapies based on immunosuppressants and immunomodulators can be attempted. In any case, the use of these drugs in the treatment of mouth ulcers is carried out very rarely and in any case only and exclusively under the squeeze medical supervision.
(in particular, B12, C, D and folic acid) and foods rich in iron, zinc and probiotics.
In this regard, therefore, the importance of adopting a healthy and balanced diet is clear.
In addition, to facilitate the spontaneous resolution of mouth ulcers, it is useful to:
- Maintain proper and accurate oral hygiene.
- Use brushes with soft bristles for cleaning the teeth.
- Stop smoking.
- Eliminate the consumption of alcohol and spirits.
