Stomatitis is the most common type of inflammation of the oral mucosa. It manifests itself in the form of small ulcers and lasts from several days to several weeks. As statistics show, about 20% of the world's population suffer from stomatitis. It is especially common in pregnant women and children. Today we will figure out what stomatitis is, why it appears and how it is treated. We will also find out what types this disease is divided into.
What is stomatitis?
The disease is diagnosed quite often in patients of different age groups. The mechanism of the development of the disease is still not fully understood. The most popular opinion is that stomatitis is a special reaction of the immune system to exposure to unfamiliar stimuli. With the appearance of foreign molecules in the body, lymphocytes begin to attack them, which leads to the appearance of ulcerative lesions on the mucous surface, which are popularly called stomatitis.
The disease has a number of features. First of all, it is worth noting that it lasts an average of four days to two weeks. Ulcerative formations heal calmly and do not leave ontraces in their place. Immunity is not developed. Having been ill with stomatitis once, a person can subsequently get sick with it again. In this case, the frequency of repeated exacerbations can be very variable. On average, the disease manifests itself several times a year. However, there are cases of more frequent, almost chronic stomatitis, when a new ulcer appears immediately after the previous one has healed.
As a rule, the first time a person is ill with stomatitis at the age of 10 to 20 years. Statistics show that 20% of the population of our planet periodically encountered this disease.
Causes of stomatitis
As a rule, the disease occurs due to local factors, namely due to non-compliance with hygiene rules. Some of its types can be caused by diseases of the gastrointestinal tract: colitis, gastritis, duodenitis and helminthic invasion. The main factors that cause stomatitis have been identified. We will analyze each of them separately.
1. Toothpastes and mouth cleaners containing sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS). Studies show that the use of hygiene products containing SLS increases the risk of stomatitis. This is mainly due to the dehydrating effect of the specified substance on the mucous membrane of the oral cavity. Under the influence of LSN, it becomes vulnerable to all kinds of irritants, for example, food acids. According to the same studies, people who use SLS-free toothpastes suffer from stomatitis much less frequently. If they develop this disease, thenit is not so painful.
2. Stress. People suffering from stomatitis often report that the sores formed during a period when they experienced emotional or mental stress.
3. Nutritional deficiencies. The cause of stomatitis can be an unbalanced diet. The disease may appear due to deficiency:
- Vitamins A and C.
- B vitamins: 1, 2, 6, 9, 12.
- Useful substances: zinc, iron and selenium.
4. Hypersensitivity or allergy. An allergy to food and certain substances can provoke stomatitis. In such cases, the disease occurs due to the ingestion of an unwanted product into the oral cavity. If a person suffering from stomatitis suspects that his body does not perceive certain substances, he should monitor his diet to determine what exactly provoked the disease. It would also be useful to undergo a medical examination for allergies.
Most often stomatitis develops as a result of immunity to such products:
- Cereals: oatmeal, wheat, buckwheat, barley, rye. In this case, the allergen is often the gluten protein contained in these products.
- Vegetables and fruits: tomatoes, lemons, oranges, apples, pineapples, figs, strawberries.
- Dairy and sour-milk products.
- Other foods: chocolate, nuts, soy, mustard, vinegar, mint.
- Other substances: medicines, toothpastes, chewing gums and dental supplies.
Thus, the list of allergens,provoking the occurrence of stomatitis is very extensive, therefore, without a special examination, it is rather difficult to identify an undesirable product for use.
5. Hormonal changes. Scientists have found that in women, the formation of ulcers on the oral mucosa may be associated with a particular phase of the menstrual cycle. In addition, it is reported that the disease often worsens during pregnancy.
6. Genetics. According to research, some people have a genetic predisposition to stomatitis. Thus, in parents who often had this disease, the child is more susceptible to it than others. Stomatitis in children can also occur if women neglect a he althy diet and oral hygiene during pregnancy.
7. bacteria. In ulcers that form with stomatitis, bacterial organisms have been found. Thus, there is every reason to believe that they may be involved in the exacerbation of the disease. In most cases, bacteria (and there are always a lot of them on the mucous membranes), if they do not cause stomatitis, then complicate its course.
8. Diseases. The appearance of stomatitis can be directly related to a number of diseases. Therefore, those who often suffer from this ailment are advised to undergo a medical examination for any systemic diseases. The worst of them are malignant tumors in the pharynx, nose and neck.
9. In addition, the appearance of sores may be due to:
- A side effect of chemotherapy.
- Using alcohol and nicotine.
- Dehydration of the body, which can result from: vomiting, insufficient water intake, large blood loss, prolonged fever or increased urine output.
- Inadequate or incorrect oral hygiene.
- Dental intervention.
Having learned what stomatitis is and why it occurs, let's move on to the signs of the disease.
Symptoms
The first symptoms of stomatitis are redness of the mucous membrane, which can occur on the inside of the cheeks and lips, under the tongue, at the bottom of the mouth, on the soft palate or in the tonsils. Over time, the redness swells, which is accompanied by a burning sensation. If at this stage the treatment of stomatitis is not started, then soon round or oval sores will appear on the inflamed area. They are easily identified by their white or greyish color with a red halo. Ulcers hurt much more than redness and interfere with comfortable eating. The fabric around them looks pretty cool.
If only one small sore appears in the entire oral cavity, then this is a mild form of stomatitis. If there are several large ulcers, then there is a severe form of the disease. In this case, stomatitis may be accompanied by fever, inflammation of the lymph nodes, headache, constipation, loss of appetite, increased salivation, irritability, plaque on the tongue and deterioration in general well-being. In the acute form of the disease, it is difficult for the patient not only to eat,but also to speak.
In the "classic" form of stomatitis, a single ulcer is formed, but in some cases the number of ulcers can reach up to six. Usually they are scattered in different parts of the mouth. If two ulcers form side by side, they may merge into one larger one.
Views
Specialists identify eight types of stomatitis. Each of them is worth dwelling on separately.
Aphthous stomatitis
The cause of this disease can be allergic reactions, gastrointestinal diseases, rheumatism, viral infections and heredity. It can be recognized by the appearance in the oral cavity of single or multiple small ulcers (aft) with a diameter of up to 5 mm. As a rule, they have a gray-whitish color and a narrow red rim. The disease may be accompanied by fever, deterioration in general well-being and pain in the area of ulcers. It can be both acute and chronic.
Herpes stomatitis
The causative agent of this disease is the herpes simplex virus. Infection can occur from a sick person or a carrier of the virus, by airborne droplets or by contact. In children, this type of stomatitis is especially common. They can become infected through dishes, nipples, toys and other items. The disease develops quite quickly: the child becomes weaker, becomes pale and irritable, his body temperature rises, and his appetite disappears, and finally, the size of the submandibular lymph nodes increases. The peak of the disease is accompanied by increased redness and swelling.mucous membrane, increased salivation, drying and cracking of the lips and the formation of bubbles on the mucous membrane, which quickly open and form erosion surfaces.
Fungal (candidiasis) stomatitis
This is a fungal disease that most often occurs in young children and the elderly. In children, this type of stomatitis occurs due to a lack of acidic substances in their saliva, designed to fight bacteria. In this case, the disease is also called thrush. The development of candidal stomatitis in the mouth in adults and the elderly is mainly associated with a weakening of the immune system as a result of treatment with antibacterial drugs or against the background of some chronic disease.
Symptoms of fungal stomatitis are: burning sensation in the mouth, white coating on the tongue and / or other surfaces of the mouth, bleeding and redness of the mucous membrane, loss of taste or persistent bad taste in the mouth. Such a disease is contagious and can be transmitted both domestically and sexually (oral sex).
Allergic stomatitis
This type is a general allergic reaction of the body to a specific allergen, therefore it is not considered a separate disease. It is treated along with the underlying disease. Allergic stomatitis manifests itself in the form of redness, white spots on the mucous membrane, vesicles or small punctate hemorrhages.
Bacterial (traumatic) stomatitis
This type of disease occurs when an infection enters an injured mucosalining of the oral cavity. Injuries can be caused by eating solid foods, dental procedures, biting the tongue or cheeks, etc.
Catarrhal and catarrhal-hemorrhagic stomatitis
These species are the manifestation of the mildest form of allergy. In children, these types of stomatitis are most common. The disease is accompanied by burning, itching, impaired taste sensitivity, dry mouth and pain when eating.
In 60-70% of children with catarrhal stomatitis, in addition to damage to the oral cavity, damage to other organs is also observed. When examining the oral cavity, diffuse hyperemia and swelling of the mucous membrane are observed. Evidence of this are the imprints of the teeth on the lateral surfaces of the cheeks and tongue. In addition, there is desquamation of the filiform papillae on the tongue, resulting in the so-called "varnished tongue". The mucous membrane is not only hyperemic, but also affected by punctate hemorrhages. Its mechanical irritation during this period may be accompanied by bleeding. At the same time, the general condition of the patient is not disturbed.
Ulcerative stomatitis
This disease is notable primarily for the fact that it is accompanied by severe pain at the time of talking and eating. Most often it develops in people suffering from stomach ulcers, chronic enteritis, infectious diseases, as well as diseases of the cardiovascular system and blood. In addition, it can manifest itself with severe poisoning.
The first symptoms are hyperemia and swelling of the mucous membranes of the oral cavity, inlips, gums, palate and tongue. Later, transparent bubbles appear against their background, which, after opening, are transformed into erosion. In this case, the gingival papillae may bleed. The disease is accompanied by hyposalivation, enlarged submandibular lymph nodes, sore throat and discomfort in the throat.
Vesicular stomatitis
This type of disease occurs in animals, predominantly ungulates. It is an acute infectious disease characterized by vesicular lesions of the mucous membranes of the mouth, skin of the lips, udder, nasal speculum, as well as the corolla and interhoof gap. All this is accompanied by a fever.
Diagnosis
When diagnosing stomatitis, the doctor first examines the patient's medical record, and then proceeds to a visual examination of his oral cavity. No specialized tests or analyzes are required to identify the disease - the appearance of the ulcers and their location is sufficient to accurately identify the disease. In addition, one of the distinguishing characteristics of stomatitis is the he althy appearance of the tissues surrounding the ulcer, and the absence of any pronounced systemic signs (fever, weakness, etc.). The exception is severe forms of the disease, which in most cases are accompanied by painful conditions.
How to cure stomatitis?
Treatment of this disease is always carried out in two directions: strengthening the immune system and local impact on the affected area. To relieve inflammation of the mucous membranes and speed up their recovery, the infected area is treated with special medicinal formulations. This operation can be performed in three ways: rinsing the mouth, local irrigation, local treatment with a cotton swab. After removing the inflammation, you need to get rid of pain. Usually, remedies for the treatment of stomatitis have an immediate disinfecting and analgesic effect. After treating ulcers with such means, it would be useful to lay antiviral ointments (oxolinic, florenal, tebrofen and others). Regardless of the type of medication used, it is not advisable to swallow it.
Means that strengthen the body's immune system perfectly complement the treatment of stomatitis and speed up the recovery process after it. With developed immunity, the risk of recurrence of lesions of the oral mucosa is reduced and the rapid healing of the skin is stimulated. To restore the body's defenses, you need to limit the effects of stress factors and balance the diet. In rare cases, it is necessary to resort to intensive immunization and strengthening procedures.
In order for stomatitis to quickly recede, the damaged area of the oral cavity must be treated every 3 hours. At first, this is especially important. Timely treatment will allow you to quickly get rid of the problem and prevent the disease from turning into a more severe form. During the day, it is worth monitoring oral hygiene and the condition of the teeth. You can get rid of bacteria that appear from food debris with the help of aids such aspeach oil, rosehip oil, sea buckthorn oil and Kalanchoe juice.
An important element in the treatment of stomatitis is a balanced diet. If possible, you should exclude sweets from your diet, which contribute to the development of a favorable environment in the mouth for the life of microorganisms. What is worth saturating the diet is fresh vegetables and fruits (oranges, kiwi, bananas and apples). They abound in vitamins and microelements, which greatly increase the body's defenses. In addition, the following foods will help in the treatment of stomatitis: rice, beef liver, dairy products, rose hips and nuts (especially pine nuts).
With infectious stomatitis, it is advisable to limit the patient's social circle in order to avoid infecting other people. If contact cannot be avoided, it is recommended to resort to the use of a gauze bandage.
Treatment of children
In children, stomatitis is treated according to the same strategy as in adults. If a child is breastfed, it is useful to periodically treat the mother's breasts, pacifiers, bottles and toys that he can pull into his mouth with an antiseptic solution. In addition, in this case, it is important to balance the mother's diet so that the baby receives enough nutrients for his speedy recovery and restoration of the immune system.
Medications
Having de alt with the general concept of the treatment of stomatitis, let's get acquainted with the most commonly used drugs. It is important to note that without the approval of a doctor and careful familiarization withannotation to use any medication is highly discouraged.
Anesthetics
With stomatitis, very painful ulcers appear in the mouth, which can interfere with the patient's normal life. Therefore, one of the first tasks in the treatment of the disease is anesthesia. To this end, anesthetics (lidocaine, benzocaine, trimecaine, colanchoe juice, and others) are added to the composition of many drugs for stomatitis. As a rule, these components are included in the pastes that cover the ulcers with a protective film.
Antibacterial
Many ready-made preparations for the treatment of stomatitis contain ingredients that have an antibacterial effect (sodium tetraborate, Metrogil-denta, Cholisal, and others). These substances not only prevent the re-infection of the affected areas with bacteria, but also accelerate the healing of ulcers.
Sore Cleaners
Bacterial plaque covering the surface of ulcers significantly slows down the healing process. To get rid of it, hydrogen peroxide, carbamide peroxide and other components designed to kill bacteria are added to medicines.
Antivirals
Some types of stomatitis are the result of a virus entering the body. To cure them, it is necessary to resort to the use of antiviral agents. Ointments are mainly used: oxolinic, florenal, tebrofen, bonafton and interferon.
Means that form a protective film on the surfaceulcers
Recently, for the treatment of stomatitis, pastes are actively used, which cover the sores with a film that protects them from the influence of irritating substances contained in food. As a rule, components that accelerate the healing of the mucous membrane and anesthetics are added to such drugs.
Means to restore the affected epithelium
Sea buckthorn oil, propolis ointment, vanillin, rosehip oil, "Solcoseryl" and "Karatolin" are products that significantly accelerate the restoration of damaged areas of the oral mucosa.
Folk methods
In the treatment of stomatitis at home, many folk remedies are used.
For mouthwash use:
- Soda (one teaspoon per glass of water).
- Hydrogen peroxide (two teaspoons per glass of water).
- Kalanchoe or aloe juice (pure or slightly diluted juice is used).
- Carrot juice. Diluted with water in a ratio of 1:1.
- Egg white. Whipping one egg white with 100 milliliters of water makes a common home remedy for stomatitis.
- Potassium permanganate. By giving water a light pink color with potassium permanganate, you can make another simple but effective remedy.
- Propolis tincture.
- Decoctions of medicinal plants: chamomile, St. John's wort, calendula, sage, yarrow, hyssop and oak. Some of these plants kill microbes, another regulates the acidity in the mouth and relieves inflammation, the third strengthens the affected areas.mucous membrane.
- Flaxseed. This product is considered the main tool for restoring the mucous membranes of the whole body, so it will not interfere with the treatment of stomatitis at home. Strained decoction of 1 tbsp. l. seeds and a glass of water are used to rinse the mouth.
- Kombucha tincture.
- Chlorophyllipt solution. This remedy, due to its neutral taste and low odor, is especially often used in the treatment of stomatitis in children. They rinse the mouth and throat also with sore throat and cough. To prepare the solution, you just need to add 20 drops of chlorophyllipt to a glass of water.
- Alum. Diluting a couple of pieces of alum in a glass of water, you can get a good mouth disinfectant.
- Tincture of St. John's wort. This remedy is an excellent anti-inflammatory and astringent medicine. For rinsing, it is enough to take 30 drops in half a glass of water. Also, the tincture can be taken orally, 40-50 drops.
- Decoction of eryngium. To prepare this medicine, you need to pour 1 tbsp. l. eryngium flat-leaved with a glass of water, boil for 15 minutes and leave for an hour.
For the treatment of ulcers use:
- Protein with honey and vitamins. This is a very common remedy for combating stomatitis at home. To prepare the medicine, you need to mix one egg white with 1 teaspoon of honey, 5 mg of novocaine and vitamins B1 and B6 (one ampoule each). The resulting composition must be mixed to a state of foam. It is taken on an empty stomach for 1teaspoon. The agent must be kept in the mouth until it is completely absorbed into the mucous membrane.
- Aloe. The leaves of this plant are applied to ulcers of stomatitis. If the affected area is difficult to reach, the leaves can simply be chewed.
- Garlic. A natural antiseptic is perfect for treating stomatitis in adults at home. By mixing grated garlic with yogurt or kefir in equal proportions, you can get an excellent disinfectant. It must be applied to the surface of the ulcers. It is important not to overdo it and not use the remedy too often, as it can burn the oral mucosa.
- Potatoes. Gruel made from grated raw potatoes has a milder, but no less significant effect than garlic. Only she does not fight germs, but heals wounds.
- Boric Vaseline. By treating the affected area with this remedy, you can contribute to the rapid healing of sores.
- Green tea. As reviews show, stomatitis can be treated with simple green tea. Dry tea leaves are applied directly to the sores and held until they are wet.
Prevention
We have found out what stomatitis is, how to diagnose and treat it, it remains only to find out how to prevent this disease.
To reduce the risk of stomatitis, you need to:
- Beware of damage to the mouth.
- Treat your teeth in time.
- Brush your teeth thoroughly, using floss as well as a brush.
- Rinse your mouth with antiseptic.
- Only use oral care products that do not irritate the mucous membranes.
- When using braces, take good care of them.
- Avoid stressful situations.
- Monitor your immune system.
Conclusion
Today we figured out what stomatitis is. There are many types of this disease, and each of them has its own symptoms. However, a common symptom of the disease and its main distinguishing feature are white or grayish sores in the oral cavity. By the mere presence of such neoplasms, one can immediately suspect stomatitis. Photos showing the affected areas of the mucosa look rather unpleasant, but you should not panic. In fact, this disease is a reaction of the immune system and signals the need to strengthen the body's defenses and more thorough oral hygiene.
