Allergy
Certain chemicals in everyday products like toothpaste, mouthwash, sweets, and gum can be irritating, as can acidic meals, cinnamon flavoring, or astringents, which can cause an allergic response, leading to painful sores. Reactions of the immune system classified as hypersensitivity occur after contact with these chemicals or allergens. In severe conditions, hypersensitivity reactions, known as anaphylaxis, often manifest very quickly after allergen contact.
In the mouth, hypersensitivity responses may manifest in various ways, including redness or whitening of the mucosa, swelling of the lips, tongue, cheeks, and ulcers and blisters. Also, mouth ulcers may develop in response to dietary sensitivities or allergies. Peanuts, eggs, maize, almonds, fish, crustaceans, wheat, cow’s milk, soy, and gluten are some common foods that cause reactions in some people. Chili, strawberries, chocolate, citrus fruits, and vinegar may also trigger an allergic reaction.
Wearing metal brackets and wires to straighten teeth might aggravate allergies to nickel and other metals in the mouth. Metal fasteners have been linked to the development of canker sores, especially in patients with contact dermatitis. In addition, sodium lauryl sulfate is a common component of toothpaste and was known to contribute to the onset of canker sores.
