Canker Sore
Food Factors

If you've ever suffered from canker sores, you know there are certain foods that tend to provoke an outbreak of those little white and red sores.

Potato chips, hard crackers, crusty bread, and some children's cereals may not only create micro-dermabrasion in the lining of your cheeks and gums, but can be especially painful foods to consume during an outbreak.

Nutritionists and some oral health experts recommend avoiding certain foods if you are prone to canker sore outbreaks. Avoid citrus fruits and beverages.

Watch out for acid foods

Growing up, for a lot of us grapefruit juice or orange juice was standard fare on the breakfast table. Other fruits and vegetables may also contribute, such as tomatoes and strawberries.

Certain probiotics not only contribute to boosting your immune system, promoting a healthy gut, and reducing flatulence and bloating, they have also shown a beneficial effect in helping to keep canker sores away according to Julian Whitaker, M.D., who founded the Whitaker wellness Center in Southern California.

Among other things, he recommends a daily serving of yogurt containing live lactobacillus acidophilus cultures every day.

Not all yogurt is created equal, be sure to get only yogurts containing live lactobacillus acidophilus cultures, without live cultures yogurt won't have the same health benefits. To help your body heal an outbreak, consider eating at least 8 ounces of yogurt every day.