Prevention

It is not always possible to prevent aphthous ulcers. Your genes and other medical conditions are out of your control. To help reduce your chances of getting aphthous ulcers, take the following steps:

• Chew food carefully to avoid biting the tongue or cheek, which may cause mouth irritation and lead to an aphthous ulcer
• Avoid acidic foods that may promote aphthous ulcers, such as tomatoes or pineapples
• If you do not get enough iron, vitamin B12, or folate in your diet, talk to your doctor about how to get enough of these nutrients to prevent aphthous ulcers (Note that taking extra iron, vitamin B12, or folate does not prevent aphthous ulcers in people who are not deficient in these nutrients)