Signs of a vitamin B12 deficiency in your mouth – do you have these painful ‘lesions’?

Vitamin B12 is a crucial ingredient for the healthy running of the body, as it’s needed to make red blood cells. Signs of a deficiency can develop very slowly, so it may be difficult to diagnose the condition.

People with undiagnosed symptoms should consider that they may have a vitamin B12 deficiency.

While it’s unlikely that your symptoms are caused by the condition, there are still many people that have a lack of B12.

A quick blood test could reveal whether you should be adding more B12 to your diet.

You should consider speaking to a doctor about a B12 deficiency if you develop unexplained canker sores.

Canker sores are a type of ulcer that form on the soft tissues inside the mouth, or at the base of the gums.

You’re more likely to develop these painful sores if you’re deficient in vitamin B12, according to medical website Ada.

Canker sores aren’t contagious, but they can be make eating or talking more difficult.

They appear similar to a round or oval blister with a white or yellow centre, and a red border.

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“Despite the availability of vitamin B12 in a balanced diet, deficiency is not all that uncommon,” it said.

“Symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency usually develop gradually and can be wide-ranging.

“These may include general symptoms, such as fatigue and lethargy, as well as the symptoms specific to the deficiency, such as yellow tinge to the skin and a sore tongue.

“Symptoms more specific to a vitamin B12 deficiency include: Pale yellow skin color, painful, red tongue [and] mouth ulcers or canker sores.”

But just because you develop a canker sore, it doesn’t necessarily mean that you have a vitamin B12 deficiency.

They could be caused by a number of factors, including certain types of toothpaste, or a minor injury to the mouth.

Following good hygiene habits and reducing your stress levels could both help to protect against canker sores, however.

You should still speak to a doctor if you develop a canker sore, as well as any other common signs of a B12 deficiency.

Some patients have also reported difficulty walking, vision disturbances, and mouth ulcers.

You should speak to a doctor if you’re worried about vitamin B12 deficiency symptoms.

But you can top up on the vitamin by eating certain foods.

The best sources of vitamin B12 include beef, liver, dairy foods, eggs, and salmon.

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