Oral mucositis – symptoms, treatment, prevention

Proven content

Inflammations of the oral mucosa arise as a result of various irritating stimuli: mechanical during chewing, physical, thermal or chemical. These factors contribute to the formation of inflammatory foci, viral and fungal infections, as well as ulcerations and erosions. In particular, improper oral hygiene increases the appearance of symptoms.

Oral mucositis – risk factors

Very often, oral mucositis develops during adolescence, pregnancy and the age of menopause. In addition, characteristic changes in the mucosa occur:

1. in some infectious diseases (measles, rubella, scarlet fever, diphtheria, chicken pox, whooping cough, infectious mononucleosis),
2. in general diseases, e.g. the hematopoietic system (anemia, leukemia, increased bleeding tendency),
3. digestive system ailments,
4. in HIV infection,
5. in diabetes,
6. with vitamin deficiencies,
7. in sexually transmitted diseases,
8. allergic diseases.

The most common cause of oral mucositis is aphthous stomatitis. The mouth ulcers very often appear unexpectedly and cause anxiety, because we do not always remember what could have caused their formation. The factors that predispose to the formation of this type of skin lesions, and which we often forget, are:

1. stress,
2. using toothpastes and mouthwashes that contain sodium lauryl sulfate,
3. celiac disease (a condition caused by intolerance to gluten contained in most cereals),
4. the presence of bacteria Helicobacter pyloriwhich primarily causes stomach and duodenal diseases,
5. raging hormonal balance in women caused by the menstrual cycle or PMS (premenstrual syndrome),
6. cuts and injuries caused by braces or poorly fitted dentures,
7. injuries caused by brushing the teeth too hard,
8. eating sour and spicy foods,
9. unconscious bite on the cheek,
10. lack of the necessary vitamins in the body: iron, folic acid, zinc and vitamin B12,
11. immune disorders (e.g. as a result of taking immunosuppressants after transplants),
12. malignant tumor,
13. chemotherapy,
14. autoimmune reactions (the immune system attacks the body’s own cells),
15. allergic to certain foods, e.g. nuts, cheese, strawberries, coffee or eggs,
16. bowel disease, ulcerative colitis,
17. systemic vasculitis,
18. allergy to the bacterial flora that is in the mouth.

To improve the quality of the bacterial flora in the oral cavity, it is worth using the LACTIBIANE Buccodental Probiotic for oral cavity infections and caries, which is available at a favorable price on Medonet Market.

Contact oral mucositis

Contact stomatitis is a reaction of the human body to irritants or allergies caused by:

1. certain topical medications (e.g. steroids)
2. ingredients found in cosmetics, such as lip balms or lipsticks,
3. smoking,
4. chewing gum
5. some spices,
6. substances contained in fats, e.g. margarine,
7. ingredients of toothpaste and mouthwashes.

Symptoms of stomatitis

Symptoms of some skin ailments sometimes appear simultaneously in the oral cavity (pemphigus, lichen planus, lupus erythematosus, erythema multiforme). The lesions of the oral mucosa may be located in a specific place in the mouth or cover the entire area of ​​the mouth. Some patients experience itching and tingling in the mouth a few days before the appearance of the lesions.

The resulting foci of inflammation may have a different appearance: vesicles, redness, and erosions and ulcers. Inflammation causes pain and makes it difficult to eat and speak. In addition, young children can be very irritable and overly tearful.

Inflammation is not uncommonly accompanied by a bad breath.

Viral diseases often manifest themselves on the oral mucosa. We can give an example herpetic lesionswhich, after being infected with the herpes simplex virus, under favorable conditions (strong sunlight, feverish diseases), reappear in the form of herpes of the lips.

In AIDS, the characteristic symptoms in the oral cavity are:

1. candidiasis,
2. hairy leukoplakia,
3. severe periodontal changes.

A common virus that causes changes on the oral mucosa is the varicella zoster virus.

Chickenpox it occurs especially often in children, and changes in the oral cavity in the form of bubbles, and after their rupture, erosions on the palatine arches and the palate may precede the appearance of skin eruptions.

Shingles – found mainly in adults, it usually causes significant pain, and the characteristic changes in the oral cavity concern areas innervated by the second and third branches of the trigeminal nerve.

Common warts are triggered by papillomavirus. Changes in the skin, especially on the fingers of the hands, often lead to the appearance of similar eruptions on the oral mucosa.

Recurrent canker sores are found in about 5–25% of the population. Due to the frequency of disease eruptions, these chronic changes are particularly persistent for patients and very difficult to treat.

Infection Candida albicans

The currently widely used antibiotics, as well as cytostatics in cancer and immunosuppressants, activate the yeast-like fungus in the oral cavity, which is Candida albicans, which in the saprophytic form is found in 40-50% of healthy people. An image of candidiasis is formed with characteristic furry blooms or in an erythematous form.

Changes in the oral mucosa are accompanied by the following symptoms:

1. spontaneous burning or burning under the influence of stimuli, e.g. when eating foods with hot and sour spices,
2. pain,
3. itching
4. disturbances in salivation, especially in the form of decreased salivation, causing dryness of the mucosa.

In order to reduce the troublesome symptoms of oral mucosa inflammation, it is worth using SeptOral Profilactic toothpaste for bleeding gums, which regenerates the mucosa and strengthens the enamel and prevents the development of caries. Topically, you can use SeptOral Med Gel for irritated oral mucosa with soothing and regenerating properties.

Treatment of stomatitis

First aid at home in the treatment of various types of stomatitis may consist of rinsing the mouth with infusions of sage, chamomile, rose, linden or linseed. It is also recommended to use anti-inflammatory and analgesic preparations that have a local anesthetic effect, e.g. lozenges, aerosol. If the symptoms do not improve within 2-3 days, consult a dentist for advice. On the other hand, when changes appear on the oral mucosa, both of the nature of protuberance or lump, as well as ulceration, it is necessary to contact the dentist immediately.

1. Check the Dentosept mouthwash

Oral mucositis of a viral nature is treated with oral antiviral agents (acyclovir) or topical preparations. In case of fever – antipyretic drugs are given. On the other hand, in the case of contact stomatitis, the patient should be separated from sensitizing agents, and in more severe cases, topical or oral glucocorticosteroids should be administered.

For inflammatory conditions in the mouth, it is worth using Dermes’ live juice, which you can buy at a favorable price on the Medonet Market.

The mouth ulcers should be treated with drying and tightening preparations. Sometimes antibiotic solutions are also administered. If the mouth ulcers are large and very painful, the doctor may recommend the use of:

1. gels to isolate aphthae (pain relief),
2. dietary supplements,
3. rinses containing tetracyclines or glucocorticosteroids.

In the treatment of inflammation of the oral cavity, for example, dental gel for inflammation of the oral mucosa and gums Dentomit® gel, which you can buy at a favorable price at Medonet Market, will help.

How to prevent and relieve oral mucositis?

In the prevention and alleviation of inflammation of the oral mucosa, it is greatly influenced by:

1. to stop smoking cigarettes,
2. daily, systematic hygiene procedures (it is recommended to use a soft toothbrush and toothpastes without foaming substances),
3. eating large amounts of dairy foods, vegetables and fruits (the diet should contain a large amount of zinc, iron and vitamin B12),
4. limiting carbohydrate consumption,
5. avoiding food and drinks that aggravate the patient’s discomfort, i.e. eating hot, spicy, salty and spicy foods,
6. sucking ice cubes and eating ice cream (alleviating ailments),
7. drinking cool non-carbonated drinks,
8. taking painkillers, e.g. paracetamol.

To support the treatment and prevent inflammation of the oral mucosa, it is worth using the SeptOral Profilactic antifungal mouthwash for periodontitis and bleeding gums, which can be purchased at a promotional price on Medonet Market.