Food to eat with a sore mouth

[sam0511]

Just want to throw the question out there - any advice to what food to eat when mouth is red raw I know tomato based sauces etc a no go, but apart from porridge and blending meals to a soup any ideas?

Thanks in advance

[SarahB1]

Coleslaw works for me, as does plain pasta and also buttered bread made into a sandwich with the crusts off. Xx

[Anthony0912 in reply to SarahB1]

That’s what I do too, cut the crusts off my sandwich makes it so much softer to eat.

[gillianTS]

Hi Sam0511

The usual are pureed vegetables, pureed fruit, poached salmon, minced turkey, chicken, in plenty of sauce, eggs scrambled etc, bananas, yogurt, mashed potatoes, noodles, cottage cheese, pasta, custard, ice cream, ice cube, milkshakes, chocolate, bland soup and gravy. Avoid citrus, tomato based products, spicy and salty products and do not use commercial mouth washes. I realise you are not eating gluten and lactose so hopefully some things suggested will help. When I have these issues I would vigorously mix together water and tea tree oil and use as a mouth wash throughout the day after and certainly after eating and drinking.

Hope it starts to feel better soon x

[sam0511 in reply to gillianTS]

Hi Gillian - thanks for this - I actually asked because a friend is having radiotherapy at the moment. She is in isolation whilst they replace her bone marrow. I know what it is like when I have had huge mouth ulcers, but at least I can cover those with a topical ointment whilst I eat something. My friend is not intolerant so these ideas are perfect thank you. The mouth wash a great idea. The commercial ones are too strong. Thanks again.

[MMMoss21323 in reply to gillianTS]

I have used the tea tree oil and water mixed into a mouthwash before to relieve pain of mouth ulcerations. It does work well, it is not suggested as it should not be ingested. So be careful. 🙃

[Jaxxi]

I love fruit so I have a nutri bullet and make interesting smoothies when my mouth is sore. Red fruits, peaches, plums etc are then OK especially if they are combined with yoghourt or banana. If you add ice, the coolness soothes too. With a powerful blender you can add oats, nuts and seeds which make the smoothie more satisfying and it can substitute for a breakfast or lunch. I add a handful of spinach or kale to my smoothies: you can hardly taste it and it adds lots of key nutrients.

[sam0511 in reply to Jaxxi]

Thanks Jaxxi - this really helps - I bought a good blender/soup maker so will get to work.

[rooser1]

I found that if I just "powered" through the first few minutes, (yes there were tears rolling down my face), that I would almost get to like a pain threshold and could actually eat a fair amount, quickly, pain free. As soon as I was done eating, my mouth would be more swollen/bloody than before, obviously very painful, but I would suck on ice water and spray chloroseptic spray after. So, a not preventative "before" approach....but more so an after math care approach. Hope this helps.

[sam0511 in reply to rooser1]

I have to admit - I have done this myself - inhaled food rather than chewed and tried not to let it touch the sides. It sounds like your mouth gets in a far worse state than mine ever has, It sounds incredibly painful. I was asking for a friend who has just had intense radiotherapy - not a Behcets patient - she had cancer. They won't let her go home until she has eaten and drunk fluids, something which she is struggling with. So as all on this site have been through that situation at some stage, I thought I would consult the experts. Thank you so much for taking the trouble to reply. She is a pretty determined person, but it sounds like the whole of her digestive tract has taken a battering.

[rooser1 in reply to sam0511]

ah.... yes at that point i would recommend smoothies. with coconut oil/cream, for caloric increase as well as therapeutic benefits. im sure she is experiencing dry mouth too, there are sprays and lozenges that are to help with that. There are also foods that naturally stimulate saliva production too (google).

[sam0511 in reply to rooser1]

Thanks - will have a look

[2106]

Try a natural toothpaste most of the branded ones Colgate etc have so many chemicals in them it will irritate the mouth. I use one made by the Greenpeople really good. Since using have had no ulcers. Have a go. Hope you feel better soon xx

[sam0511 in reply to 2106]

Not thought of that - thanks, will give it a go.

[2106 in reply to sam0511]

Let me know how you get on.

[Blearyeyed]

Hi,

I hope you friend is coping and she is lucky to have a friend like you.

Over the years with various GI and mouth operations or infections this has been a learning curve for me.

My mother also had bowel cancer and we worked through the issue of having the sore mouth and general lack of appetite , or interest in food that comes with cancer treatment.

The key was to find foods that were both soft, had flavour, were easy to chew , were cooling, that revived and cleaned the tongue and didn't include ingredients that affect your general health.

I do not know if your friend is gluten and lactose free , sugar free or needs to be off salicylates like many BD sufferers, she may be able to eat many things like tomatoes etc. that we cannot, if you let me know via messages I can send more stuff.

In terms of BD , diary or non diary probiotic yoghurt , flavoured with vanilla , the best honey you can get and add any sort of puree fruit you like, or super, super smooth nut butter ( like roasted cashew, hazelnut or Brazil). It is great for breakfast, cooling and the honey helps keep off the thrush or infections that can occur.

Fruit purees , made with honey to sweeten and cinnamon or ginger ( if you are tolerant) are great warm or cold with ice cream, cream, the variety helps and the tartness helps keep your saliva running.

I make many hummus or vegetable puree recipes , lots of garlic, herbs or spices you are tolerant to, olive oil and tahini ( if you can) I use broad beans, white beans, chick peas, carrot and beetroot, sweet potato.

Although, chewing can be an issue, it is important to get some softer , solid food going down to maintain the tongue and throat hygiene ( you can get those tongue hairs or thrush ) Chew on the side of your mouth with less pain, cucumber cold is great with the dips, part cooked carrot sticks etc.

Things like shepherd's pie, fish pie or pasta dishes using non diary cream cheese melted on and small pieces of fish, vegetables or minced meat. Use small pastes at first like mini macaroni or orzo, rice dishes with alot of sauce, or make minestrone to add some texture to your soup without too much chewing.

Ice chips before eating can wake your mouth enough to stimulate the appetite when not hungry, and ice chips can be made from sparkling water , green teas or fruit juice too, to relieve the boredom . Making your own sugar free jellies and ice creams ( or non diary ones) are also really good, sometimes a little jelly and ice cream is all you want, physically and spiritually.

Lots of semi sparkling water and chilled or warm green tea ( any flavour) through the day keeps you hydrated and the mouth clean.

If you want any recipes or other ideas , let me know.

With BD sufferers, using alittle magic mouthwash before eating or a dab of lidocaine if you can get it on prescription before eating then drinking and swilling with green tea during and after the food helps too.

Hope this is useful to all.

[sam0511]

Just want to say thank you to all who took the trouble to reply - friend released from hospital - and she sends you all her thanks - the advice helped 100% she is getting better every day - treatment successful.