Ulcerative stomatitis

Ulcerative stomatitis is one of the severe forms of inflammation of the inner mucous surface of the mouth.

Causes of ulcerative stomatitis

At the moment, modern medical science is unable to accurately name the mechanisms and processes in the formation of ulcerative stomatitis. The root causes vary and can be anything. Common factors that cause ulcerative stomatitis:

• microorganisms that carry infection;
• gastrointestinal diseases;
• cardiovascular diseases;
• weakened immunity;
• lack of vitamins;
• metabolic disorders in the body;
• nervous breakdowns;
• malignant tumors;
• unstable hormonal background, its disorders;
• anemia;
• injuries to the oral mucosa (scratches, abrasions, etc.);
• hereditary factor.

Less pronounced factors that can also in their own way provoke ulcerative stomatitis:

• poor oral hygiene;
• there is something wrong with the teeth (for example, caries);
• dysbacteriosis;
• low quality of dentures;
• allergy to any medications;
• nicotine and alcohol;
• allergy to a certain food.

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Symptoms of ulcerative stomatitis

How ulcerative stomatitis begins to manifest itself - first, redness appears in the mouth, which spreads to the entire mucous membrane. Then these reddened areas begin to swell, the burning sensation is more noticeable. When the patient does not notice this process in time and does not take measures, small oval or round ulcers appear in their place. Their typical color is gray or white, a red halo and a film on top are noticeable. The rest of the surface around them may look normal and natural. There is severe pain from the ulcers, and eating is difficult. Typical places for ulcerative stomatitis ulcers are the cheeks and lips (in the oral cavity), under the tongue. A mild form of ulcerative stomatitis may be accompanied by one such ulcer. A severe form of ulcerative stomatitis - when the ulcers become large and deep. In this case, severe pain interferes with speech and eating. Also, a lot of saliva is often secreted, a coating appears on the tongue, all this is accompanied by a bright red color of the mouth, vomiting after eating.

The most obvious symptoms of ulcerative stomatitis are:

• ulcers on the oral mucosa, which are covered with a gray coating. Most often accompanied by discomfort and pain, especially during meals. Ulcers tend to combine, forming huge painful formations. If this disease spreads to the jaw bone, then an additional disease may occur - osteomyelitis of the jaw;
• bad breath;
• burning;
• enlarged lymph nodes;
• weakness, headache.

Ulcerative stomatitis often appears in patients with gastrointestinal problems, who have gastric ulcers and chronic enteritis. Blood and cardiovascular diseases, infectious diseases, poisoning with heavy metal salts can also become a precursor to the symptoms of ulcerative stomatitis.

Ulcerative stomatitis in children

Ulcerative stomatitis is common among children. Very few children have managed to avoid it. Children have all the same forms of ulcerative stomatitis as adults. Children's bodies and immunity are weaker than adults and therefore more susceptible to ulcerative stomatitis, which is why it is so important to take preventive measures against ulcerative stomatitis in children.

Forms of stomatitis

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Catarrhal stomatitis

Catarrhal stomatitis is one of the most common forms of stomatitis. It is characterized by swelling of the oral mucosa, painful sensations, increased salivation, white or yellow plaque, bleeding gums, and bad breath.

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Ulcerative stomatitis

Ulcerative stomatitis is a more serious problem than the previous type described above. It occurs as an advanced form of catarrhal, but it can also occur independently of it. The entire oral mucosa is affected, the temperature rises to 37.5 degrees, accompanied by weakness, headache, enlarged lymph nodes and their pain. Eating is difficult and causes pain.

Aphthous ulcerative stomatitis

Aphthous ulcerative stomatitis is a complex type of this disease. It is with it that ulcers appear, the so-called aphthae. They are gray-white in color with a narrow red rim. It is accompanied by poor health, fever and pain from the ulcers. There is an acute form of the disease, as well as a chronic one, in which periods of exacerbation and remission are observed, which in medical practice is called chronic recurrent aphthous stomatitis.

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Candidal stomatitis

Candidal stomatitis is a fungal disease. Its objects are small children and elderly people. Candidal stomatitis is caused by a fungus (often Candida), the development of which is facilitated by weak immunity, long-term treatment with strong antibacterial drugs, and often appears with other chronic diseases. It burns in the mouth, larynx, is accompanied by a white coating on the tongue and mucous membrane, hyperemia and bleeding of the oral surface, an unpleasant taste or complete absence of taste sensations. Candidal stomatitis is contagious and is transmitted by household and sexual means.

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Herpetic (herpetic) stomatitis

Herpetic or herpetic stomatitis affects all ages: from young to old. The disease can be acute and chronic, caused by the herpes virus. In a mild form of the disease, small blisters (several pieces) appear, similar to ulcers-aphthae. In a severe case, multiple rashes appear on the surface of the mucous membrane, accompanied by swelling and inflammation, increased salivation, general malaise, toxicosis, fever, enlarged lymph nodes, discomfort and pain when eating. An important feature of herpetic stomatitis, like any herpes-type disease, is that this virus cannot be eradicated, it remains with a person for life.

Diagnosis of ulcerative stomatitis

Modern doctors do not have methods for detecting this disease. As a rule, a doctor can only "by eye" determine the presence of ulcerative stomatitis. Another difficult point in diagnosing ulcerative stomatitis is that this disease can be a symptom of more serious diseases.

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Treatment of ulcerative stomatitis

To cure ulcerative stomatitis, first of all, professionally clean your teeth, remove tartar and get rid of soft plaque. If there is caries, it is also important to eliminate it immediately. Then the mouth is treated with antiseptic rinses. In five to ten days, you can get rid of catarrhal stomatitis this way. In the case when it transforms and acquires symptoms of ulcerative or aphthous-ulcerative stomatitis, then local treatment is not enough, it must be combined with general. Medical care then, in addition to all of the above, includes special antiseptic procedures.

When a patient has herpetic stomatitis, additional treatment for viruses is carried out. In the case of candidal stomatitis, antifungal drugs are prescribed. When stomatitis is initially caused by another disease (for example, problems with the stomach, intestines), the underlying cause is treated first.

Ulcerative stomatitis is most often treated with hydrogen peroxide, potassium permanganate solution, drugs such as Stomatidin, antimicrobial sprays, for example, Orasept. This is a local treatment. As for the general treatment, it is necessary to eliminate the root cause of the disease, as well as to promote increased immunity. Usually, in such cases, the doctor prescribes all kinds of vitamins and minerals, antibiotics, antihistamines, sulfonamides, calcium chloride.

To relieve pain, use ointments and powders, and rinse with a solution of novocaine.

Traditional methods of treating ulcerative stomatitis

Some of the folk methods of treating ulcerative stomatitis are even recommended by official medicine. Thus, calendula has an excellent effect - it has a strong antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effect, it heals well. Another wonderful antiseptic is chamomile - a remedy widely used by both people and doctors.

Onion and garlic compresses are used: finely chopped onions and garlic are wrapped in gauze and applied to inflamed areas.

For stomatitis, rinsing with various infusions helps well. Infuse crushed oak bark, walnut leaves, chamomile flowers, flax seeds, sage leaves, burdock roots and much more.

In addition, traditional medicine provides treatment methods when folk remedies can not only be used for rinsing, but also for internal use. Rosehip decoctions, which are rich in vitamins and other substances useful for the human body, strengthen the immune system, eliminate inflammatory processes, prevent and destroy harmful bacteria. However, in the case of candidal and herpetic stomatitis, herbal remedies, although they work wonders, will not help, since antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and immune-modifying pills are not affected by fungi and viruses.

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Diet for ulcerative stomatitis

During periods of exacerbation of stomatitis, the patient is recommended to eat chopped food so as not to further injure the oral mucosa. It is important for a patient with ulcerative stomatitis not to eat spicy, hot, cold, sour, rough - in a word, anything that can additionally harm the already irritated surface. Food should be high in calories and rich in vitamin C.

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Prevention of ulcerative stomatitis

The cornerstone of ulcerative stomatitis prevention is to follow the rules of oral hygiene. Brushing your teeth twice a day, visiting the dentist twice a year – these are the main points. It is important to ensure that the oral cavity is not injured, for example, when using braces or dentures.

An effective step to prevent ulcerative stomatitis is to identify the food products that cause allergies. Special tests can be performed for this purpose. It is not recommended to eat crunchy, salty, spicy and hot food, as all this can injure or irritate the oral mucosa. If there is a risk of ulcerative stomatitis, it is better to refrain from tomato and orange juices, alcoholic beverages. In addition, you should always monitor your vitamins and macronutrients, as ulcerative stomatitis often reoccurs during periods of weakness.

Ulcerative stomatitis is a tricky thing, you get sick once, and for the rest of the time there remains a risk that the disease will recur again. That is why it is so important to try to follow simple rules for the prevention of ulcerative stomatitis.