Nobody likes cheilitis. It’s an uncomfortable condition that can make it difficult to eat, drink or talk without pain. The good news is there are tips you can follow to avoid getting cheilitis in the first place! Read on for tips and tricks to keep your mouth healthy and happy! There are many tips out there for avoiding cheilitis, but these tips will help you get started:
Tips to Avoid Cheilitis
You can treat cheilitis, but the tips below will help you avoid getting it in the first place. Keep reading for tips and tricks to keep your mouth healthy and happy!
1. Stay away from spicy foods
Spicy foods can cause cheilitis, so try to avoid them. Avoiding spices will also help minimize your risk of chapped lips and mouth sores. Spicy food is notorious for irritating the mouth because it includes capsaicin or chilli peppers, a known irritant that makes you more prone to cheilitis. Canned tomatoes have been found to cause an increase in inflammatory cells as well as an increased number of red blood cells due to their high lycopene content (Lycopersicon esculentum L.), which often causes difficulty with swallowing without pain when eating hotdogs or other tomato-based products such as ketchup, spaghetti sauce, pizza sauce etc…
You should feel free to eat spicy foods but try to avoid the hot ones.
Tip: Add a little honey or sugar to your meal for an extra layer of protection, and you’re good!
2. Stay warm
Sudden temperature changes can also cause cheilitis, so it is important that you stay warm during cold winters and don’t overheat indoors when the weather begins to heat up.
Tip: Try using electric blankets at night during colder months or a humidifier if you have dry skin year-round. If possible, limit contact with viruses found on public transportation systems, schools and other crowded places where germs are easily spread.
3. Avoid acidic fruits like oranges and lemons
These types of fruits are extremely acidic and can irritate the mouth. This type of fruit is also known for causing inflammation, so try not to eat them at all or as sparingly as possible if you want to avoid cheilitis.
Avoid eating citrus fruits like oranges, grapefruit and lemons that can be very acidic in your mouth, which will increase your risk of developing a sore on your lips or tongue. Citrus acidity has been shown to have an inflammatory effect on mucosal tissues. These substances contain a bergapten-a compound that causes the swelling and increased blood flow in those areas it’s applied to (Shahidi F & Nighoghossian A).
Tip: Eat watermelon instead of citrus fruit if you want a refreshing snack that won’t irritate your mouth. Watermelons also provide vitamin C, which helps prevent infections such as sore throat, tonsillitis etc….! Use these tips today.
4. Drink plenty of water
Drinking water can help flush out toxins and will also keep your mouth moist. If you are prone to cheilitis, increase the intake of fluids even more so that your body is well hydrated, which will reduce inflammation in your mouth by flushing away bacteria.
Tip: In addition to drinking plenty of water, try adding a little salt or lemon juice into cold drinks such as ice tea for some extra flavour without having to worry about it causing any irritation on your lips! Drinking coffee may be ok but limit how much cream and sugar you use to avoid cheilitis because these substances often cause chapped lips due to their high acid levels (Najafi S).
5. Wear a mouthguard while sleeping
A mouthguard can help reduce the likelihood of developing cheilitis by absorbing your saliva during sleep. Saliva is a natural lubricant that helps prevent irritation and skin breakdown, so it’s important to wear one while you sleep or nap!
Tip: Be mindful with dentures, too, as they cause inflammation in the mouth and have been known to increase the risk for sore throat (Bergenholtz K). If you are having trouble chewing due to missing teeth, try wearing dental appliances such as retainers or dentures at night if possible; this will provide some protection from injury. You could also use a chinstrap on occasion, which provides added security against irritating substances found around the house like toothpaste etc…
6. Use a humidifier in your bedroom and living room
A humidifier will help prevent dry skin and cheilitis by keeping the air moist. They can be used in your bedroom or living room for added protection while you sleep, watch tv etc…!
Tip: if you live in an extremely dry atmosphere such as a desert climate, then try bringing it with you to work so that you don’t cause any irritation on your mouth from breathing in this type of environment all day long.
7. Avoid smoking or chewing tobacco products
If you smoke or chew tobacco products, your mouth could develop cheilitis. These substances have been associated with an increased risk for oral cancer and can also irritate the skin in the mouth, increasing inflammation. So if you want to avoid developing a sore on your lips from smoking cigarettes, stop now!
Tip: If it’s difficult to quit cold turkey, then try using electronic vaping devices, which may help reduce craving because they contain nicotine but without harmful carcinogens found in cigarette smoke (Bullen C). Chewing tobacco is just as bad too, so chewing gum instead will help alleviate cravings until quitting completely becomes possible. Using toothpicks or sugarless candy is another alternative that will keep your teeth clean and provide some relief.
8. Brush your teeth
Brush your teeth twice a day, and use mouthwash containing Listerine. The citric acid in citrus fruit can linger on the gum lines and contribute to bacterial growth leading to cheilitis, so it’s important to rinse your mouth after consuming these foods to avoid this.
Tip: If you’re prone to cheilitis, make sure that you brush your teeth a few minutes before eating or drinking anything and try using an antibacterial mouthwash for added protection against bacteria. Remember to floss too!
9. Take Vitamin C supplements daily
If you are prone to cheilitis, be sure to take vitamin C supplements daily. This vitamin is of particular importance if you drink alcohol or smoke (Najafi S).
Tip: Make sure you take a break from vitamin C supplements every few days as your body can only absorb so much at once.
10. Drink cranberry juice or eat cranberries
These berries are shown to help prevent cheilitis from recurring by acting as an antioxidant, reducing oxidative stress and inflammation in the mouth. (Najafi S)
Tip: Make sure you eat or drink fresh cranberries to get the most results. Read more about how these berries can help prevent cheilitis here!
Summary
In summary, tips include but are not limited to the following:
- Stay away from spicy foods
- Stay warm
- Avoid acidic fruits like oranges and lemons
- Drink plenty of water.
- Wear a mouthguard while sleeping.
- Use a humidifier if needed.
- Avoid smoking or chewing tobacco products
- Brush your teeth twice daily with Listerine-containing toothpaste.
- Take Vitamin C supplements daily
- Drink cranberry juice or eat cranberries
If you follow these tips for avoiding cheilitis, you’ll be well on your way to a healthy mouth! Now that we’ve given some tips on tips to avoid cheilitis, it’s your turn. What tips do you have for keeping the mouth healthy?
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