Relationship of Recurrent Aphthous Stomatitis with Nutritional Habits

Aim: In this study we investigated the frequency and relationship of recurrent aphthous stomatitis(RAS) with family history, personal variables such as weight, heigt, antibiotic usage, teeth brush and nutritional habits in geriatric patients. Material and Method: The patients over 65 years old were included in the study. Before examination, the definition of recurrent oral aphthous ulcers and a visual informatory form including photographs were presented to the subjects. The age, sex, height, weight of the subjects were noted on a chart. Then the history of recurrent oral aphthous ulcerations were asked and if present the frequency of the ulcers, the type of the ulcers, the localization of the ulcers, the subjective symptome of the ulcers, familial history for the ulcers, frequency of antibiotic usage, teeth brush habits and nutritional habits were examined by a questionnaire. Results: Eighty subjects completed the study. 31.25% of subjects declared recurrent oral ulcer history. Pain was the leading subjective symptome declared by 44% of the subjects. 15% of the subjects had a family history for recurrent oral ulcers. There was no correlation between frequency of antibiotic usage and history of RAS. Also, there was no correlation between teeth brush habits and history of RAS. The RAS group consumed tea and fizzdrinks more frequently whereas they consumed milk and milk products, walnut, bread and other grains more rarely. Discussion: Nutritional habits may have a role on ocurrence of reccurrent oral aphthous ulcerations. So we are of the opinion that the elimination of the risky nourishments and the addition of the protective nourishments may be the first step of the treatment period