Can Talking Too Much Worsen Canker Sores?

If you have ever had a canker sore, you know what a big problem these small sores can be. According to WebMD, Canker sores are actually small, shallow, painful ulcers that appear in the mouth - ouch! While not everyone gets canker sores, their frequency and severity vary quite a bit among those who do. Some individuals may get a canker sore very rarely, while other individuals may suffer bouts with canker sores on a regular basis.

The exact cause of a canker sore may be hard to determine, as there are several possible culprits: stress, acidic foods, immune problems, vitamin deficiencies and even certain diseases. Regardless of the reason for the canker sores, there is one thing that everyone can agree on, and that is the desire to get rid of these painful sores as soon as possible!

Avoiding certain things and taking precautions can help reduce the length of time a canker sore lasts and the pain involved. When you first notice a canker sore appearing, it is a good idea to avoid common acidic foods, including tomatoes, citrus fruits, apples and figs. Since a canker sore is a type of ulcer, acidic foods can slow healing and increase pain by attacking the ulcer itself. And while rinsing with an antibacterial mouth rinse may be temporarily painful, it can reduce the risk of further problems by killing bacteria.

While these things are widely known for affecting canker sores, others aren't so clear. You may be wondering, for instance, what effect excess talking has on existing canker sores. This can be a big problem, particularly if your job includes public speaking or answering the phone. If your canker sores are much more painful when you speak, it is a good idea to avoid doing so as much as possible. Whether or not talking will make your canker sore worse depends almost entirely on where the canker sore is located. If the location your canker sore is in causes it to stretch when you speak, then excess talking making it harder for the canker sore to heal up and remain closed.

Although you probably can't avoid speaking entirely, you can reduce the amount of time you spend talking. If it is painful to speak due to the canker sores, explain to your friends, family and co-workers that you will be talking as little as possible over the next few days, and why. You may be surprised by how many people are understanding and help you work around the need to talk constantly. Before you know it, you canker sores will start to heal up, and talking will no longer be a problem.

The information for this article was obtained at WebMd.com.