Stomatitis – What is it, Symptoms and Treatments!

Stomatitis – What is it, Symptoms and Treatments  with Medicines. Stomatitis , a general term for an inflamed and painful mouth, can interrupt a person’s ability to eat, talk, and sleep. Stomatitis can occur anywhere in the mouth , including the inside of the cheeks, gums, tongue, lips, and palate.

Oral inflammation and ulcers, known as stomatitis , can be mild and localized or severe and generalized. They are invariably painful. Stomatitis may involve swelling and redness of the oral mucosa or mild, painful ulcers (single or multiple).

Less commonly, whitish lesions form and, rarely, the mouth appears normal (burning mouth syndrome), despite significant symptoms. Symptoms make consumption difficult, sometimes leading to dehydration and malnutrition. Secondary infection occasionally occurs, especially in immunocompromised patients.

Causes of  Stomatitis :  Stomatitis is most common in young children between the ages of 6 months and 5 years. People exposed to HSV-1 can develop mouth sores later in life as a result of the virus. HSV-1 is related to HSV-2, the virus that causes genital herpes, but it is not the same virus.

Aphthous stomatitis can be one or a cluster of small pits or ulcers on the cheeks, gums, inside the lips or on the tongue. It is most common in young people, most often between 10 and 19 years of age. Aphthous stomatitis is not caused by a virus and is not contagious. Instead, it is caused by oral hygiene problems or damage to the mucous membranes. Some causes include:

• Mouth injuries or trauma
• smoking
• Excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages
• Go through chemotherapy and radiation treatments, common procedures in the treatment of most types of cancer
• Illnesses that affect immunity, such as lupus, Crohn’s disease, and AIDS
• Use of dental appliances
• dental caries
• Gingivitis
• Oral ulcers.

Symptoms of Stomatitis:  The main signs and symptoms of Stomatitis include:

• Redness in the gum area;
• Emergence of small rounded eruptions;
• Emergence of blisters that later rupture and give rise to oral ulcers.
• Ulcers are very similar to canker sores and can spread throughout the mouth , especially on the gums, tongue, and at the beginning of the pharynx, near the tonsils.
• High fever;
• Mouth pain ;
• Irritability (especially in children);
• Lack of appetite;
• Difficulty eating;
• Headache

The crisis of symptoms usually lasts for approximately two weeks, but the first week is always the most difficult, which is when the mouth is more sensitive than ever and there is pain in the lesions.

Stomatitis  Treatments : Even without treatment, mouth sores do not usually last longer than 2 weeks. With the cause of stomatitis identified, the doctor can make the correct treatment. However, if it is not discovered, treatment is only given to relieve the patient’s symptoms.

It is necessary to keep the patient always hydrated. Try to offer drinks that do not contain gas, are not acidic and preferably cold, such as water, milkshake, yogurt and ice cream. Making food without much seasoning is indicated so that it does not cause pain to patients.

Butter noodles, mashed potatoes or manioc can be good options to keep you fed. If you have a burn in your mouth, gargling with ice water or sucking on ice can help relieve symptoms. The most commonly used medications for treating stomatitis are:

• Pinaverium Bromide 100mg
• Pinaverium Bromide 50mg
• gingilone
• Hexomedine

NOTE: Only a doctor can tell you which drug is most suitable for you, as well as the correct dosage and duration of treatment. Always follow your doctor’s instructions to the letter and never self-medicate. Do not stop using the drug without consulting a doctor first, and if you take it more than once or in much larger amounts than prescribed, follow the instructions on the package insert.

Prevention of Stomatitis:  Washing your hands properly helps to prevent many viruses and bacteria from entering . Try to keep your child’s hands always well washed, as it is common for children, especially months old, to put their hands in their mouths.

It is also essential to maintain good oral hygiene and treat the underlying cause of stomatitis . Some nutritional supplements like B vitamins (folate, B-6, B-12) can help. Foods high in these vitamins can also help. Some foods rich in B vitamins include:

• broccoli
• Bell peppers
• spinach
• Beet
• veal liver
• lentils
• asparagus

Proper oral hygiene is also important. You should also avoid acidic or spicy foods if those foods have caused outbreaks in the past. And another way to prevent an outbreak is to not talk while eating, as this increases the chance of biting your cheek. Dental wax can smooth the edges of dental appliances such as retainers or braces. If stress seems to be a trigger, relaxation exercises can help.