From the Guidelines
To treat mouth sores from eating hard foods like chips, it is essential to prioritize a soft and bland diet, avoiding spicy, acidic, or rough foods, and to practice good oral hygiene, as recommended by the most recent and highest quality study 1. When managing mouth sores, consider the following key points:
- Eat soft, moist, non-irritating food that is easy to chew and swallow, as suggested by 1
- Avoid acidic, spicy, salty, rough/coarse food, and instead opt for soft, bland foods to reduce irritation
- Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water, and use lip balm for dry lips, as recommended by 1
- Practice good dental and mouth hygiene, including the use of non-alcoholic mouthwash, as advised by 1
- Consider using antimicrobial mouthwashes containing chlorhexidine or hydrogen peroxide to help prevent infection, as mentioned in 1 Some additional measures to consider:
- Inspect your oral mucosa daily, and have your dental team eliminate sources of trauma, such as ill-fitting prostheses or fractured teeth, as suggested by 1
- Lubricate lips with sterile vaseline/white paraffin (petrolatum), lip balm, or lip cream, but be aware of the potential risks of chronic use, as noted in 1
- Drink ample amounts of fluids to keep the mouth moist, as recommended by 1 It is crucial to note that most mouth sores from mechanical trauma heal within 7-14 days, but if a sore persists beyond two weeks, appears unusually large, or is accompanied by fever, it is essential to see a healthcare provider, as it may require different treatment, as implied by the general principles of wound healing and infection management.
From the FDA Drug Label
A Topical Anesthetic for the Mucous Membranes of the Mouth and Pharynx. The answer to treating sores in the mouth from eating hard foods like chips is not directly addressed in the provided drug labels.
- Key points to consider when using lidocaine for mouth sores:
- Numbness of the tongue or buccal mucosa may increase the danger of biting trauma.
- Food and/or chewing gum should not be used while the mouth or throat area is anesthetized. However, the provided drug labels do not offer guidance on the treatment of sores in the mouth from eating hard foods like chips. 2, 2, 2
From the Research
Treatment Options for Mouth Sores
- Topical anesthetics, such as lidocaine or benzocaine, may be used to reduce pain associated with mouth sores caused by eating hard foods like chips 3, 4, 5.
- However, it is essential to note that these medications can have adverse effects, including methemoglobinemia, a serious and life-threatening condition 4.
- Allergic contact dermatitis is also a potential risk associated with the use of topical medicaments, including anesthetics like lidocaine 6.
Efficacy of Topical Anesthetics
- A study comparing the efficacy of 5% EMLA cream, 8% lidocaine gel, and 20% benzocaine gel in reducing pain during inferior alveolar nerve block in children found no statistically significant difference between the groups 5.
- Another study demonstrated that 5% lidocaine liquid topical anesthetic had considerable antimicrobial activity against selected oral microorganisms, including Streptococcus mutans and Candida albicans 3.
Precautions and Considerations
- The use of topical anesthetics, especially benzocaine, can lead to potentially fatal conditions like methemoglobinemia, highlighting the need for caution and medical supervision 4.
- Patients should be aware of the potential for allergic reactions to topical medicaments, including anesthetics, and report any symptoms to their healthcare provider 6.