Mouth Symptoms That Indicate Vitamin B12 Deficiency

Naturally found in animal-based foods, vitamin B12 can be sourced from eggs, fish, dairy, and meat. Since the human body cannot create this nutrient, it is very important to eat foods that are rich sources of this vitamin. One indication that may warn you of vitamin B12 deficiency is the presence of mouth ulcers.

Canker Sores

Mouth ulcers, also referred to as canker sores, are typically tiny, yet painful, lesions that have a whitish or yellowish hue, surrounded by reddish, swelling, soft tissue inside your mouth. These tiny lesions can make your drinking, talking, and eating routines feel very uncomfortable. They oftentimes heal on their own though after about two weeks.

The National Health Service has generated a list of things you should avoid to alleviate the discomfort caused by mouth ulcers. Some of the things you need to avoid are eating very salty, acidic, or spicy food, eating crunchy or rough foods like toasts or crisps, and not eating chewing gums. You should also avoid acidic or very hot drinks and avoiding the use of toothpaste that contains sodium lauryl sulfate.

The best healer of mouth ulcers, however, is time. You just have to wait them out. If you want quick relief, you may want to take that short trip to the pharmacy and ask for medication intended for such a condition. Medication may speed up the healing process of mouth ulcers and, at the same time, prevent you from having an infection and also reduce the painful symptom.

Pharmacists at your local drug stores or pharmacies may offer you an antimicrobial mouthwash or corticosteroid lozenges. They may also recommend a pain-killing mouthwash in spray or gel form.

Health Issues Caused By Vitamin B12 Deficiency

The NHS revealed that aside from mouth ulcers, vitamin B12 deficiency can also lead to a host of other health complications, including feeling extremely tired and lacking energy. This is caused by the adverse effect on red blood cells. Vitamin B12 is required to produce healthy red blood cells. Insufficiency of this nutrient, as stated earlier, can lead to the creation of huge yet ineffective red blood cells.

These dysfunctional red blood cells will not be able to carry enough oxygen to be distributed throughout the body. Since there is a lack of oxygen, the organs will not be able to generate enough energy for your body.

You may also start experiencing pins and needles or paraesthesia, having a red or sore tongue and weakness in your muscle. In some cases, your vision may be affected, and you may start feeling confused and depressed. Vitamin B12 deficiency has also been known to cause judgment, understanding, and memory problems.