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| - Last Updated on November 20, 2023 by Shabnam Sengupta
Quick Take
A social media post says that lemon juice and salt can effectively treat tongue ulcers at home. We verified the assertion and found that the claim is Mostly False.
The claim
In a Facebook video featuring an AI-generated doctor emphasising the effectiveness of using lemon juice and salt to treat tongue ulcers or canker sores.
Fact Check
What are tongue ulcers?
Tongue ulcers, also known as canker sores or aphthous ulcers, are painful, shallow lesions that can develop on the mucous membranes of the tongue or other parts of the mouth. They are characterised by white or yellowish centres with red, inflamed borders. While the exact cause of tongue ulcers is not always clear, they can be triggered by various factors, such as minor mouth injuries, stress, hormonal changes, or certain foods. These ulcers typically cause discomfort while eating, drinking, or speaking but are not contagious. They usually heal on their own within a week or two, but in some cases, they may require medical attention if they persist or recur frequently.
What are the factors that aggravate tongue ulcers?
Tongue ulcers often emerge during times of physical or emotional stress, such as college exams. Other triggers include trauma from dental procedures, aggressive tooth cleaning, accidental biting of the tongue or cheek, common colds, deficiencies in iron, folic acid, or vitamin B12, hormonal changes like menstrual periods, food allergies, and the presence of sodium lauryl sulphate in toothpaste.
Can lemon and salt cure tongue ulcers?
No, The extensive use of lemon juice and salt as a home remedy for canker sores and oral issues is prevalent on social media. Lemon and salt may offer relief from the burning sensation of existing canker sores, it’s not a universal cure for the sores themselves and might even have adverse effects due to their complex causes. Consequently, it’s not recommended as a home remedy for these conditions, as there is insufficient research on the effectiveness of lemon juice and salt for tongue ulcers. Instead, it’s best to avoid triggers, especially hard, acidic, spicy food, and certain beverage choices.
Dt Harita Adhvaryu, Sr. Clinical Dietitian, Ezcure Diabetes Care, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, says,” Salt water rinses have anti-bacterial & healing properties that help to treat mouth ulcers temporarily. Salt temporarily increases the pH level of the mouth, creating an alkaline environment. Since bacteria prefer an acidic environment, they find this type of environment difficult to survive in. But on the other hand citric acid of lemon may aggravate your mouth ulcers as it’s acidic in nature. It may severely irritate ulcers, sores, and even the healthy tissue of your mouth. So always seek advice of your dentist before taking any steps.”
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