Acute stomatitis - what is it and how to deal with it?

Acute stomatitis is a small ulcer that appears in the oral cavity, accompanied by discomfort and, periodically, pain. Where do they come from on the human body? What do they mean and how to deal with them? It is worth noting that acute stomatitis is a disease that almost every person has encountered. It is also an interesting fact that a person who has had acute stomatitis at least once has a very high tendency to recurrence of this disease.

Causes acute stomatitis

What actually causes acute stomatitis is still not reliably known. Therefore, among other things, doctors distinguish the following causes of acute stomatitis:

• the entry of pathogenic organisms and infections into the oral mucosa, which provoke the appearance and development of the disease in this, the most susceptible area of the human body;
• diseases associated with disorders of the gastrointestinal tract, as well as the cardiovascular system;
• general immunodeficiency, lack of vitamins, metabolic disorders in the body;
• disorders of the nervous system;
• occurrence of malignant tumors, hormonal changes, anemia;
• as well as various injuries to the mucous membrane (abrasions, wounds, etc.) and heredity.

Also, acute stomatitis can be caused by the usual disregard for the observance of normal oral hygiene, allowing caries, dysbacteriosis of the mouth. No less influence on the occurrence of the disease acute stomatitis can also be caused by violations in the manufacture or installation of dental implants and prostheses, long-term use of drug treatment, allergic reactions, as well as the use of nicotine-containing or alcoholic products.

It is important to note that toothpastes containing sodium lauryl sulfate also have a negative effect on the oral cavity and can often cause acute stomatitis.

[ 1 ], [ 2 ], [ 3 ]

Pathogenesis

Doctors' opinions on the manifestation of acute stomatitis in the form of small ulcers on the oral mucosa still differ, but doctors still consider the most plausible explanation to be the body's protective reaction to unidentified irritants. Acute stomatitis involves an attack by lymphocytes (one of the types of white blood cells) on foreign molecules that the body has not identified as acceptable. Doctors observe a similar reaction, as with acute stomatitis, during the transplantation of donor organs. Aggressive lymphocytes attack "foreign" molecules and form ulcers.

[ 4 ], [ 5 ], [ 6 ], [ 7 ]

Symptoms acute stomatitis

The very first signs of acute stomatitis are redness on the oral mucosa. As the disease progresses, they swell and can burn. If you missed this symptom of acute stomatitis, the reddened areas begin to develop into small round ulcers, lighten to a grayish-white color and become covered with a film. There is no pain around these "craters" on the mucosa, the skin looks quite healthy. Acute stomatitis that has developed into ulcers complicates the process of eating and is accompanied by significant pain in the affected areas - on the inside of the lips, cheeks and in the sublingual space.

When acute stomatitis reaches its apogee - most likely in the absence of proper treatment - small defects of the mucous membrane merge into one large ulcer. The further course of the disease is characterized not only by a cutting-burning pain in the mouth, but also by an increase in body temperature, general weakening of the body, inflammation of the lymph nodes, acute and prolonged headache, loss of appetite, and constipation. In addition, acute stomatitis can be accompanied by hyperbolic salivation, plaque, redness in the oral cavity, vomiting after eating.

[ 8 ], [ 9 ]

Forms

There are about seven types of acute stomatitis: allergic, aphthous, vesicular, herpetic, catarrhal, traumatic and ulcerative. Let's look at the most common ones.

[ 10 ], [ 11 ], [ 12 ]

Acute herpetic stomatitis

This type of stomatitis can occur in both children and adults. The causative agent is the herpes simplex virus. Mild or initial stage of acute herpetic stomatitis manifests itself in the form of small single blisters, which, if not treated in a timely manner, increase in number, causing swelling of the oral cavity and other symptoms described above.

The peculiarity of acute herpetic stomatitis is that this virus is never eliminated from the body.

[ 13 ], [ 14 ], [ 15 ], [ 16 ], [ 17 ], [ 18 ], [ 19 ]

Acute aphthous stomatitis

The causes of acute aphthous stomatitis may be disorders in the functioning of body systems, various allergies, viral diseases, rheumatism and heredity. The symptoms of acute aphthous stomatitis are similar to other types of this disease. It is worth noting that this type of stomatitis can occur in both acute and chronic forms with periodic remissions and relapses.

[ 20 ], [ 21 ]

Acute catarrhal stomatitis

This type of disease is the most common. Acute catarrhal stomatitis is accompanied by increased salivation, worsening of bad breath, and bleeding from the gums. The causes of acute catarrhal stomatitis include poor oral hygiene, dental structure disorders, tartar deposits on them, and the introduction of fungi. Acute catarrhal stomatitis can also be caused by dysfunction of the stomach and intestines or the appearance of worms.

[ 22 ], [ 23 ]

Diagnostics acute stomatitis

Acute stomatitis is easy to diagnose – the doctor determines the presence of the disease in the body by examining the oral cavity. When this disease is first transferred, a note is usually left in the patient’s card, which allows the next time the disease manifests itself to begin its treatment sooner.

The main rule for diagnosing acute stomatitis is to determine the appearance of the wounds and their location.

[ 24 ], [ 25 ]

Treatment acute stomatitis

The most effective method of treating acute stomatitis is determined by a doctor.

First of all, treatment of acute stomatitis begins with cleaning the oral cavity, which involves removing tartar and possible plaque from the entire surface of the oral mucosa. It is also necessary to combat caries, or at least treat existing dental lesions.

Frequent rinsing is recommended for cleaning and antiseptic purposes of the oral cavity. Also, to achieve the maximum positive effect, doctors recommend following a simple diet.

Various herbal antiseptic mixtures (chamomile, calendula), water-alcohol solutions (calendula, eucalyptus), and branded rinses are recommended for rinsing. Various local anesthetics and lozenges are also used.

Never use alcohol-based solutions, including iodine, as they can burn already damaged areas of the mucous membrane.

If acute stomatitis develops into more complex forms of the disease, then local treatment of the oral cavity should be combined with general health improvement of the body. If herpetic stomatitis is observed, then an antiviral program is also combined with general treatment.

Antiviral medications used in treatment are zovirax (acyclovir, virolex, famciclovir, bonafton) 1 tablet 5 times a day for 5 days. At elevated temperature paracetamol is used (for children under 5 years old 0.1-0.15 grams, for people over 5 years old - 1 tablet 2-3 times a day).

Antihistamines: Claritin, Tavegil (syrup) for children aged 3 to 6 years, 5 milliliters 2 times a day; Suprastin - in the age-appropriate dose 2-3 times a day; Fencorol - for children aged 3 to 7 years, 0.01 grams 2 times a day.

When stomatitis is accompanied by candidiasis, antifungal treatment is usually suggested.

For the treatment of the immune system, Imudon is prescribed in the form of lozenges up to 8 times a day; sodium nucleinate 0.015-0.05 grams for children from 2 to 5 years old and 1 tablet for adults 3-4 times a day.

It is also recommended to take ascorutin or ascorbic acid in small doses.

From the first day of treatment, physiotherapy is also used - UV radiation and laser therapy. Skin ulcers are treated with antiviral drugs for the first 2-3 days, then with zinc ointment or Lassar paste, and in case of complications of the disease - with ointments with antibiotics.

In case of significant tissue necrosis, surgical treatment of the affected areas of the oral mucosa is performed.

Diet for acute stomatitis

A diet for acute stomatitis involves following simple rules - avoiding spicy, sour foods, eating moderately warm food, not hot or cold, and it is also advisable to eat softer foods that should be chewed thoroughly.

Also, daily enema cleansing of the intestines with warm water is performed. It is necessary to drink orange juice and water every 2 hours. It is recommended to mainly eat fruits in the first 3-5 days of treatment, after which a transition to a balanced diet is carried out, nuts, grains, cereals are included in the diet, and it is also worth continuing to eat fresh vegetables and fruits.

[ 26 ], [ 27 ], [ 28 ], [ 29 ]

Treatment of stomatitis at home

To treat stomatitis at home, it is recommended to rinse your mouth with clean hot water. For an analgesic effect, add hydrogen peroxide to the water (1 teaspoon per 0.5 liters of water). It is also possible to rinse your mouth with Kalanchoe juice. Rinsing with carrot juice works great (1:1 ratio with water).

One of the effective recipes is to mix 3 crushed large cloves of garlic with 2 teaspoons of yogurt, warm it up slightly and spread it in the oral cavity, covering all the affected areas of the mucous membrane. The procedure should be repeated 3-4 times a day for 4-5 days.

Another variation is possible: garlic with yogurt, apply three times a day.

To reduce gum inflammation, folk medicine experts recommend applying gruel or slices of raw potatoes to them.

In terms of herbal treatment, we recommend infusions of St. John's wort, eryngo, chamomile flowers, calendula inflorescences, linden flowers, crushed willow bark or calamus root, as well as finely chopped rhizome of erect cinquefoil, which you can find in any pharmacy.

Not only an effective, but also a delicious recipe for home treatment of acute stomatitis: mix sea buckthorn, red and black currants, and gooseberries (10 spoons of the berry mixture per liter of boiling water), boil for 15 minutes in a water bath and leave for 30 minutes. After cooling, strain. Use the infusion to rinse the mouth, as well as for internal use in small doses 3-4 times a day. This infusion will help relieve inflammation and relieve pain in the affected areas.

Prevention

The main rule for preventing acute stomatitis is cleanliness and health of the oral cavity. It is recommended to visit the dentist once every six months to a year. It is recommended to review your diet and exclude foods that can cause allergic reactions, trauma to the oral cavity (spicy, salty, crunchy, and spicy). It is also recommended to refuse alcoholic beverages, orange and tomato juices.

[ 30 ], [ 31 ]