Cigars are irritating the lining of my mouth/tongue - is it ph balance?

[38special]

A little background, I've smoked cigars sparingly for about 8-10 years. I smoked maybe 3 times a year.

Recently, I've started smoking more (with the exception of the last month - and this is why). I was smoking maybe a cigar a day or every other day for a few weeks - no problems.

All of the sudden, my whole mouth is jacked up. It takes a couple days to fully set in but it got to the point that it felt like it was on fire. It caused sores on the sides of my tongue and under my tongue and on the soft palate on the top of my mouth. The first day, I just see the redness/irritation but it doesn't really hurt, then it seems to get worse until I have sores all over my mouth.

To test if it was cigars doing this for sure, I stopped smoking for 3 weeks. Last night I smoked another cigar. I smoked slowly and intentionally - I even had a stopwatch and only puffed every 60 seconds so as not to overheat the cigar or my mouth. After smoking, my mouth felt fine...I had lingering cigar taste and such but nothing bad. I woke up this morning with the same symptoms as before - reduced taste, obviously reddish/irritated lining of my soft palate, under my tongue and the top of my tongue (though the top of my tongue isnt red).

This is very frustrating! I really enjoy a good cigar but if this turns into sores again tomorrow (as it did before) and if this continues to happen every time I smoke, I'm going to have to quit. I really don't want to quit - I very much enjoy this!

I don't smoke cigarettes, chew tobacco, drink much alcohol, no other underlying health issues. I'm otherwise youngish (31) and healthy. I take no prescription or illicit drugs - only tylenol for a headache occasionally.

After reading and reading and reading, I haven't found much info on this, besides maybe the cigar smoke is causing ph balance to be off in my mouth? I dunno. From reading, it sounds like cigar smoke is alkaline, but I don't know if it could cause this. I'm not a doctor, nor do I play one on TV. 

ANY insight here is much appreciated!

 

EDIT: Forgot to note - in the 3 weeks I wasn't smoking, after it healed up in 5 days or so, I had no mouth sores, no irritation, nothing. My mouth has been totally clear until today. I smoked last night and I can see the irritation in there again today. I don't have any sores today - but I suspect I will tomorrow if history repeats itself.

[Buck14]

Stop smoking and visit a doctor ASAP.  

[38special]

2 minutes ago, Buck14 said:

Stop smoking and visit a doctor ASAP.  

I have visited a doctor - they just said it was "lesions" and to wait a week.

It always clears up within a week or less - usually 5-7 days. 

There was nothing there for the 3 weeks I didn't smoke and I have no sores in my mouth right now at all. I just can tell it's "dulled" right now and irritated. I can see it's red when I look in the mirror.

[Islandboy]

Allergic reaction?

I’m not a doctor, nor do I play one on TV either, so it’s just a guess.

[prodigy]

Yea, that's definitely not normal. I've been smoking 7-10 cigars a week for the past 6 months with nothing different whatsoever. Get it looked at by a professional.



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[Buck14]

You could be allergic to tabacco?

[38special]

4 minutes ago, Buck14 said:

You could be allergic to tabacco?

The thought has crossed my mind. I guess it would have had to just recently exhibit itself cause I never had that issue before.

I certainly hope that's not it.

[Fugu]

Switch to CCs!  

[PigFish]

... what else you doing with that mouth??? -LOL

-Piggy

[38special]

3 minutes ago, Fugu said:

Switch to CCs!  

Last night's smoke was a CC! Doesn't seem to make any different whether I smoke NCs or CCs - same result.

 

It sucks cause this has only happened the last 4 times I've smoked, but I can't figure out how to prevent it. Never had an inkling of problems before, even smoking every night for a week.

[...]

Kill it with rum ?

 

 

On a more serious note, I've had mouth issues in the past part related to cigar smoking. Stress was likely the bigger factor in my case (stupid work) but taking it easy and letting things heal (not only the apparent symptoms) help. Best of luck!

[backbone]

Irritation from the nicotine. Try to slowly build up your tolerance over months. 

[PigFish]

... also on a more serious note:

First, welcome to FoH.

You might try zinc. Many health food stores and pharmacies sell zinc lozenges.

I find when I suffer from lysis, either from a virus or from some foods, that zinc helps. Bananas as well as pineapple cause this (in my case) and zinc appears to ease the symptoms and promote healing. Of course you would need to check with your doctor if you can take zinc or should not be taking it for any reason.

Best of luck and again, welcome!

-the Pig

[38special]

On 9/19/2017 at 9:26 AM, PigFish said:

... also on a more serious note:

First, welcome to FoH.

You might try zinc. Many health food stores and pharmacies sell zinc lozenges.

I find when I suffer from lysis, either from a virus or from some foods, that zinc helps. Bananas as well as pineapple cause this (in my case) and zinc appears to ease the symptoms and promote healing. Of course you would need to check with your doctor if you can take zinc or should not be taking it for any reason.

Best of luck and again, welcome!

-the Pig

Worth a shot. I actually have zinc already and take it on occasion to boost immunity so I'll definitely give this a shot.

 

EDIT: Sidenote, I love your cigar climatology stuff. I've learned a lot from your videos. Hoping that knowledge doesn't just go to waste!

 

On 9/19/2017 at 9:24 AM, backbone said:

Irritation from the nicotine. Try to slowly build up your tolerance over months. 

Wondered about this....that's my hope. If I can keep it from turning into full blown sores in my mouth and just a bit of irritation, I can definitely build up the tolerance. I don't mind a little toned down tastebuds every now and then but the sores/burning are absolutely frustrating.

[ElJavi76]

Here's something I try the morning after every cigar. I started this practice this summer cause sometimes you can get that lingering taste that won't go away no matter what....

Coconut oil pulling. Not only does it help the morning after cigar funk, but it also helps whiten your teeth. God knows we can use it. Just a thought. If you already visited an MD and have no other course of action, what the heck. Give it a shot. 

[38special]

1 minute ago, ElJavi76 said:

Here's something I try the morning after every cigar. I started this practice this summer cause sometimes you can get that lingering taste that won't go away no matter what....

Coconut oil pulling. Not only does it help the morning after cigar funk, but it also helps whiten your teeth. God knows we can use it. Just a thought. If you already visited an MD and have no other course of action, what the heck. Give it a shot. 

I can't imagine that would hurt....worth a shot. Thanks.

[PuffDaddie]

Give up smoking for 6 months and try again later.

[oakalley]

To reinforce what others have said, I would definitely see a physician. It may be nothing, but constant re irritation of the mucous membranes of the oral cavity can lead to some things that are a whole lot worse than irritation and mouth sores. Unfortunately, I can pretty much predict what you will be told. " Give up cigars, and any other forms of tobacco". While that may be a bitter pill to swallow, oropharyngeal cancer is a horrible, disfiguring disease that is potentially fatal.

 

And I am a physician, although I do not play one on TV!!

 

 

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[38special]

3 minutes ago, oakalley said:

To reinforce what others have said, I would definitely see a physician. It may be nothing, but constant re irritation of the mucous membranes of the oral cavity can lead to some things that are a whole lot worse than irritation and mouth sores. Unfortunately, I can pretty much predict what you will be told. " Give up cigars, and any other forms of tobacco". While that may be a bitter pill to swallow, oropharyngeal cancer is a horrible, disfiguring disease that is potentially fatal.

 

And I am a physician, although I do not play one on TV!!

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

Thanks. I have been in and the answer at the time was "watch it. if it doesn't heal in a week, come back." and then, yeah, if I can't shake it just quit smoking. 

I'm only slightly stubborn. I'll quit cigars if I have to, but I'd like alternatives if possible.

Thanks!

[ElJavi76]

Send me all your CCs. I'll give them a rigorous inspection. LoL 

Kidding aside, I hope you find a happy medium here. It's a great hobby and and even better community. I wish you the best.

[vladdraq]

Next time try to drink something, alcohol cleans up and disinfect  so that might help. Or try a beverage, coke r something similar, te will lower the pH if ever that's the case.

 

[38special]

13 minutes ago, vladdraq said:

Next time try to drink something, alcohol cleans up and disinfect  so that might help. Or try a beverage, coke r something similar, te will lower the pH if ever that's the case.

 

This last time I did drink RC (similiar to Coke) :/

[vladdraq]

you can rule out pH than, try with straight alcohol. Scotch, rhum etc.

[LGC]

I would suggest seeing a gastroenterologist to rule out acid reflux (silent reflux doesn't show typical symptoms). Look it up. I've been dealing with major symptoms over a month after having to take an ambulance to the ER. Not something to ignore or self-diagnose. Smoking only exacerbates symptoms.

 

[kuma]

I know the problem; smoke more just kidding!  Brush your choppers after each smoke.  I know that is a lot of work but hey

better to clean and keep the mouth clean then have to feel like shit after each smoke.  I keep tooth paste and brush in

my company car, at my company desk, and in personnel car and of course at home.  Yes alot of work but hey it is worth it.

When visiting the tooth doc I have had no change in color of teeth or gum issues.  Floss and brush and smoke until your hearts content.

Good luclkmate.

Cao