According to InformedHealth.org, an estimated 1 in every 10 people experiences canker sores. For these individuals, eating certain foods may only make symptoms worse. Lemons are one such food to avoid if you’re currently dealing with mouth ulcers due to the fruit’s acid content. The delicate tissue inside our mouths is sensitive, and acidic fruits can prompt irritation, according to experts at Dentistry of West Bend. So much so that not only may eating lemons aggravate existing mouth ulcers, but they may cause new ones to form, too. Along with lemons, you’ll also want to hold off on eating any other citrus fruits for the time being, including pineapple, grapefruit, and oranges.
So how long should you wait before you can safely enjoy your daily glass of lemon water again? The Cleveland Clinic suggests giving it about ten to 14 days, which is approximately how long it takes for mouth ulcers to heal. However, if you have a canker sore that stubbornly sticks around for more than three weeks, reach out to your doctor.
