Stomatitis

General description of the disease

Stomatitis or mucositis is a well-known dental pathology. Stomatitis is understood as a whole group of diseases of different origins, differing in clinical symptoms and the nature of their occurrence. These pathologies are united by inflammation and necrosis of the tissues of the mucous membrane in the mouth.

Mucositis can be an independent disease, or it can accompany other ailments – flu, scarlet fever and others.

According to statistics, more than 80% of people have suffered from mucositis at least once in their life. The widespread prevalence of stomatitis today is due to the unhealthy environmental situation and weakened immunity in people.

Types and symptoms of stomatitis

In order for the treatment to be effective, the type of mucositis should be diagnosed and only after that the drugs should be prescribed:

1. 1 herpetic – with this form of stomatitis, keratinized mucous membrane (lips, gums, palate) suffers. At first, it manifests itself in small bubbles, the mucous membrane becomes red and inflamed. After 1-2 days, the bubbles burst and painful ulcers with a whitish center form in their place. Children under 3 years of age are predisposed to this type of stomatitis and it usually proceeds in an acute form. Due to constant painful sensations, babies do not sleep well, are capricious, refuse to eat;
2. 2 aphthous differs in the appearance of foci of death or aft on the mucous and submucous tissues. This type of stomatitis affects the lips, tongue, and hyoid region. Aphthous mucositis most often takes on a chronic form and is exacerbated by hypothermia or after emotional overstrain;
3. 3 candidal – provoke Candida mushrooms. Fungal stomatitis is manifested by a white coating on the tongue, cracks on the lips and in the corners of the mouth. The fungus of the genus Candida is everywhere – on food, dishes, surfaces, and if hygienic rules are observed, it is not dangerous. In addition to inflamed mucous tissues and a whitish coating of a curdled consistency, the patient is worried about fever, general weakness and malaise;
4. 4 traumatic – most often it affects children, when babies are teething, the gums are injured and the child may have a fever;
5. 5 catarrhal – bad breath, mouth ulcers with a grayish bloom;
6. 6 chemical develops as a result of contact of mucosal tissues with chemicals, painful sores form in the mouth;
7. 7 mechanical manifested by swelling of the mucous membrane and wounds in the mouth.

Common symptoms, regardless of origin, include:

• swelling and inflammation of the mucous tissues in the mouth;
• increased salivation;
• bad breath;
• bleeding gums;
• Painful mouth ulcers that are especially troublesome when talking and eating
• unpleasant taste in the mouth;
• possibly an increase in temperature;
• swollen lymph nodes.

The reasons for the development of stomatitis

The reasons provoking the development of mucositis are conventionally divided into the following groups:

1. 1 local – these include non-compliance with sanitary standards, smoking and poor quality hygiene products;
2. 2 internal include: an allergic reaction, metabolic disorders, hormonal disorders during menopause and pregnancy, decreased immunity, genetic predisposition, hypo- or hypervitaminosis, disruption of the gastrointestinal tract or cardiovascular system;
3. 3 external – excessive hypothermia, chemotherapy, severe stress, taking certain medications, tooth extraction, incorrectly installed braces or crowns, biting the gums or tongue, eating spicy foods.

Types of mucositis:

• viral – accompanies such pathologies as: herpes virus, measles, enterovirus infection;
• medicinal stomatitis occurs as a reaction of the body to taking certain medications;
• ray – damage to the tissues of the mucous membrane during radiation therapy;
• fungal – provoke a fungus (like Candida);
• chemical – occurs when the mucous membrane comes into contact with chemicals (alkalis, acids, hydrogen peroxide);
• bacterial – due to the action of bacteria of syphilis, tuberculosis, streptococcus and others;
• catarrhal develops in the absence of hygiene, tartar and bad teeth, worms, disruption of the gastrointestinal tract can also provoke it;
• prosthetic – inflammation of the tissues under the crown, caused by bacteria that penetrate under the crown or allergy to the material of the prosthesis.

You can become infected with mucositis by airborne droplets and by contact – through a handshake, clothes, dishes, towels, toys.

Complications of stomatitis

Timely diagnosed mucositis does not pose a serious health hazard, however, incorrect or untimely treatment can lead to the following consequences:

1. 1 the development of a secondary infection;
2. 2 in advanced cases, hoarseness and laryngitis;
3. 3 tonsillitis;
4. 4 mobility and loss of teeth;
5. 5 bleeding gums;
6. 6 psycho-emotional instability.

Stomatitis prevention

In order to prevent the development of mucositis, you should:

• take care of strengthening the immune system;
• 2 times a year to be examined by a dentist;
• brush your teeth twice a day, rinse your mouth after each meal;
• timely treat infectious pathologies and diseases of the gastrointestinal tract;
• change the toothbrush in a timely manner (every 2-3 months);
• avoid contact with patients with stomatitis;
• try not to injure mucous tissues;
• timely treat carious teeth;
• clean dentures daily and take them off at night;
• for dry mouth, use a saliva substitute;
• use toothpaste and mouthwash recommended by your dentist;
• wash hands more often for children;
• quit smoking;
• do not take antibiotics without a doctor’s advice.

Treatment of stomatitis in official medicine

The effectiveness of mucositis treatment directly depends on how early it was diagnosed. Therefore, if you feel discomfort in your mouth, you should not self-medicate, you should immediately consult a doctor who will prescribe the following examinations:

1. 1 general blood analysis;
2. 2 histological and cytological analysis;
3. 3 PCR research;
4. 4 intradermal tests for yeast allergens.

Symptomatic therapy for stomatitis includes the use of antipyretics. Complexes of vitamins, immunostimulants are also recommended, antiviral agents are used for viral mucositis. With traumatic stomatitis, antimeptics, rinsing and application with anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed. To dull pain with stomatitis, analgesics are recommended. Treatment should be aimed at improving the epithelialization of mucous tissues.^[3]… To eliminate edema, the doctor prescribes antiallergic drugs.

If standard treatments remain ineffective, glucocorticoid therapy is used. Thus, you can quickly get rid of pain and speed up the healing process.

Attention!

The administration is not responsible for any attempt to use the information provided, and does not guarantee that it will not harm you personally. The materials cannot be used to prescribe treatment and make a diagnosis. Always consult your specialist doctor!