How Your Diet Impacts The Health of Your Mouth

As people age they tend to experience more problems with their mouth health. Aside from dental problems they may suffer from what is known as stomatitis. Stomatitis is a general term that describes any inflammation of the cheeks, gums, tongue, lips throat and roof or floor of the mouth.  The term angular stomatitis describes chapping and fissuring on the inside corner of the mouth.

What Causes Stomatitis and Why Does It Matter?

Mouth and lip problems that are caused by repeated licking your lips, moistening the corners of your mouths or even abrading them with a cosmetic balm or tool can usually be easily remedied by stopping the chronic habit that caused it in the first place.

A big cause of irritation inside the mouth is dentures or implants.  You don’t have to have “bad fitting” dentures for this type of effect to place. The mouth can also develop inner tissue irritation from consuming hot foods, overly acidic foods (like grapefruit juice) and medications. Allergic reactions and infections can also cause stomatitis.

If you are smoking, quit!  One of the most irritating of inner mouth irritations is called stomatitis nicotine and it is characterized by small red bumps on the roof of the mouth.

                                     

Taking Care of Your Mouth Tissues Matters and So Does Your Diet!

Chronic irritation of your mouth tissues can lead to conditions such as oral cancer, so it very important that you take good care of a mouth that is in a state of constant inflammation.

First off, stay away from eating very spicy, very hot or very cold foods, which can make inner mouth tissue inflammation worse.  If your mouth is fully inflamed with canker sores or any kind of irritation try to stay away from eating abrasive foods, such as raw stiff leafy greens, citrus fruits and condiments with vinegar.

Supplementation with Lysine, Vitamin A and a B vitamins can also help treat the condition as can eating foods that are rich in Vitamin B such as eggs, steak and chicken, that is, if your Healthy and Active diet plan allows these foods.

Foods that are high in Lysine include yogurt, cheese, beets, milk, mango, apple pear figs, avocados, salmon, cod, tuna and oats.

High amounts of Vitamin C are also recommended for this condition but in this particular instance, eating raw citrus might irritate the already inflamed lips and mouth tissues so it might be a good idea to take it in supplement form. A naturopath can recommend the therapeutic dose that is right for you.

It is also important to keep the corners of the lips well-moisturized wit Vaseline or a lip balm as loss of moisture from the lips can cause them to become cracked and dehydrated.

The good news is that most cases of stomata’s go away on their own, especially if you eat an alkaline diet that is fresh, organic and loaded with A, C and B vitamins.

For more information about the diet and lifestyle that is optimum for you in every way and the uniquely restorative Healthy & Active Program please visit our website at www.healthy-active.com. You may also call us in Toronto at (41) 440-2217 and ask for Adrienne Wright Bulow or Dr. Michael Rahman or email us at adrienne@healthy-active.com.