Chronic stomatitis

Chronic stomatitis (translated from ancient Greek - "mouth") is an inflammation of the mucous membrane of the oral cavity, which causes a lot of unpleasant sensations. It is not particularly difficult to encounter it, and the variety of reasons for which chronic stomatitis occurs makes every third resident of our country suffer from small ulcers (aphthae).

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Causes of chronic stomatitis

There are more than enough reasons for chronic stomatitis, but it should be noted that, first of all, it occurs when the patient has not received proper treatment at the acute stage of the disease.

Stomatitis appears against the background of a general weakening of the body: weakened immunity, vitamin deficiency, hormonal imbalances, as well as with elementary nervous tension, stress and depression; with metabolic disorders, diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, cardiovascular system, anemia and tumors.

Microorganisms that cause all sorts of infections play an important role in chronic stomatitis. It is very easy to end up in their vicinity if you do not observe personal oral hygiene (that is why children are often at risk) and neglect visiting the dentist (advanced caries and dysbacteriosis of the oral cavity are the most common factors in the development of chronic stomatitis).

Chronic stomatitis can also be caused by “pressing” problems: poorly fitted dentures, alcohol consumption, smoking, food allergies and the consequences of taking medications.

To date, a number of studies have shown that the occurrence and exacerbation of chronic stomatitis may be associated with the use of toothpastes based on sodium lauryl sulfate. In fact, against the background of other causes-causative agents of the disease, this scientific fact has practically no chance.

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Symptoms of chronic stomatitis

The main and most striking symptom of chronic stomatitis is the presence in the mouth (cheeks, inner surface of the lips, area under the tongue) of one or more painful ulcers of oval or round shape, which are gray or white in color, have a red border and a film on the top of the aphtha. In most cases, the patient understands that he is suffering from stomatitis already at this stage, but few pay attention to the preceding symptoms - redness in the oral cavity, which later swell and begin to hurt.

Ulcers hurt, this makes it difficult for the patient to speak and eat, in addition to this there are accompanying symptoms:

• Temperature increase.
• Pain in the area of the lymph nodes.
• Headache and irritability.
• Increased salivation.
• Coating on the tongue.
• Decreased or complete loss of appetite and vomiting.
• Chronic recurrent aphthous stomatitis.

Stomatitis is never “ordinary”, it is always recurrent, that is, it appears as a result of a general weakening of the body.

One of the most severe forms of chronic stomatitis is recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS). Its causes include diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and liver, rheumatism, viral infections (adenovirus), allergies, staphylococcus, and even heredity.

Symptoms of chronic recurrent aphthous stomatitis

In recurrent aphthous stomatitis, general pallor and swelling of the oral mucosa is observed. The ulcer (aphtha) is most often single, appears on the inner surface of the lips and cheeks, under the tongue (frenulum), in some cases - on the gums and palate. This form of chronic stomatitis lasts from 7 to 10 days, and at the end of treatment, a red spot remains at the site of the aphtha.

In general, CHRAS does not affect the general condition of the patient, but in some cases an increase in body temperature, weakness and depression may be observed.

Despite the relatively short period of the disease, this form of chronic stomatitis is severe, because it is not possible to part with it for a long time. Periods between exacerbations (relapses) of the disease can last several years, months, and in the worst case - several days.

Chronic recurrent herpetic stomatitis

Chronic herpetic stomatitis is caused by a previous herpes infection. Considering that about 80% of people are lifelong carriers of herpes, the stable occurrence of this form of chronic stomatitis can threaten almost everyone.

Exacerbations of the disease most often occur in autumn and spring. Hypothermia, colds, chronic diseases of the ENT organs (sinusitis, tonsillitis), damage to the oral mucosa also contribute to the exacerbation of chronic herpetic stomatitis.

There are two forms of chronic herpetic stomatitis:

Mild – no more than twice a year (appearance of several ulcer-like blisters in the mouth) •

Severe – more than six times a year (there are many rashes, which cause the mucous membrane to become inflamed and swell, and salivation increases)

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Symptoms of chronic herpetic stomatitis

As with any other form of chronic stomatitis, the rash (in the acute form - aphthae) is painful and makes speech and eating very difficult. In addition, there are accompanying symptoms:

• General malaise.
• Increase in temperature.
• Toxicosis.
• Enlarged lymph nodes.

Chronic stomatitis in children

Chronic stomatitis in children is a fairly common occurrence. But if an adult can recognize the disease in time, then its detection in children (especially from six months to three years) requires careful attention to the health of their child from the parents.

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Causes of chronic stomatitis in children

Depending on the form of chronic stomatitis in children, there are a number of reasons:

• Weakened immunity.
• Chronic diseases.
• Viral diseases.
• Damage and burns of the mucous membrane.
• Damage caused by improper brushing of teeth.
• Neglect of oral hygiene.
• Dirty hands.

Chronic stomatitis in children can have different origins, so you should not treat it at home - a visit to a pediatric dentist is required. But to identify the disease, you need to pay attention to the symptoms, which in the early stages of chronic stomatitis are common to all its forms.

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Symptoms of chronic stomatitis in children

Sometimes it is quite difficult to understand what exactly is bothering a child. A visit to a pediatric dentist is inevitable if the child:

• Sleeps poorly.
• Refuses to eat, citing pain in the mouth.
• Elevated temperature.
• Bad breath.
• Redness of the mucous membrane, ulcers on it.
• Chronic aphthous stomatitis in children.

Aphthous stomatitis is the most common and, unfortunately, chronic type of disease in children. And if the causes of chronic aphthous stomatitis in adults are obvious, then it is impossible to name them for sure in children.

Possible causes of chronic aphthous stomatitis in children are:

• Infections (unwashed hands, poor hygiene).
• Damage to the mucous membrane.
• Eating foods that cause allergies (chocolate, strawberries, eggs, sometimes coffee).

The symptoms of chronic aphthous stomatitis in children are no different from those of adults. Redness appears on the mucous membrane of the oral cavity, turning into blisters, and later into ulcers. In addition, the accompanying symptoms are more pronounced than in an adult: the temperature can reach 40 degrees, irritability, lethargy, vomiting.

As in the case of adults, chronic stomatitis in children lasts 7-10 days.

Treatment of chronic aphthous stomatitis in children

Parents should remember that only a specialist – a pediatric dentist – can diagnose chronic stomatitis. First of all, he will eliminate the true cause of the disease.

However, there are some tips that will help you ease your child’s suffering on your own:

• Pain relief for children is prescribed in the form of gels and emulsions, which are applied directly to rashes or aphthae (Lidochlor, 3-5% anesthesin emulsion).
• It is important for children to treat not only the affected areas of the oral cavity with ointments, but also the healthy areas (Bonafton, Acyclovir, Oxolin).
• Rinsing with anti-inflammatory solutions (chamomile, manganese, sage decoction).
• Often the doctor prescribes medications to speed up wound healing (Vinilin).

In addition, you need to remember to follow the rules of personal hygiene for your child and take measures to improve immunity.

Diagnosis of chronic stomatitis

Only a dentist can diagnose chronic stomatitis. He or she will determine the form of the disease and give recommendations regarding treatment.

There is no need to be afraid of going to the doctor, since chronic stomatitis does not require surgical intervention and the examination is virtually painless.

• Depending on what type of stomatitis the patient suffers from, the dentist will refer the patient for examination to other specialists to eliminate the true cause of the inflammation:
• Gastroenterologist – for chronic recurrent aphthous stomatitis.
• ENT – for chronic recurrent herpetic stomatitis.

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Treatment of chronic stomatitis

Treatment of chronic stomatitis does not require hospitalization and is always carried out at home.

Treatment begins with eliminating the underlying cause of the disease.

This may include removal of tartar and plaque, treatment of caries; treatment of the gastrointestinal tract and acute respiratory viral infections (with herpetic stomatitis).

In addition, drug treatment is indicated:

• Metrogyl Denta ointment (locally, after brushing your teeth twice a day) and Solcoseryl adhesive paste (applied to the affected area 3-5 times a day, always after meals).
• "Imudon" (one tablet every 2-3 hours, but no more than 8 per day).
• Stomatofit solution (rinse with 10 ml of solution in ¼ glass of water 3-4 times a day).

Indispensable in the treatment of chronic stomatitis are folk remedies:

• Rinsing with herbal infusions with anti-inflammatory effect (calendula, chamomile, flax).
• Rinsing with a solution of baking soda (1 teaspoon per glass of warm boiled water).
• To heal wounds, treat with sea buckthorn or rosehip oil.

In addition, to destroy bacteria and improve immunity, it is recommended to take rosehip decoction internally.

Remember that the water for rinsing should be warm, cold or too hot (as well as warming up) can only worsen the situation. In no case should you "help" the healing of aphthae or try to remove the film from the top of the ulcer.

During the treatment of chronic stomatitis, you need to follow a diet and drink enough water. Doctors recommend avoiding food that irritates the mucous membrane (sour, spicy, salty and sweet) and drinks (alcohol, concentrated juices).

How to prevent chronic stomatitis?

The main rule of chronic prevention is scrupulous oral hygiene and regular visits to the dentist. Remember that stomatitis is a contagious disease, so the patient should have separate cutlery; a child suffering from stomatitis should have clean toys.

It should be remembered that it is impossible to suffer from the disease once: a person who has suffered from stomatitis, if basic rules are not followed, will most likely encounter it again. Therefore, it is extremely important to eliminate the root cause of the disease (damage to the gastrointestinal tract, liver, chronic diseases of the ENT organs, etc.). If the cause of chronic stomatitis is an allergy, then you should stop eating allergens.

It is necessary to avoid damage to the oral mucosa, since relapse of stomatitis can be provoked by bacteria that enter micro-wounds.

A healthy lifestyle, general strengthening of the immune system and giving up bad habits will help you forget forever about what painful chronic stomatitis is.