Ear, Nose & Throat Diagnosis What Is Stomatitis? Inflammation of the Mouth By Kristin Hayes, RN Kristin Hayes, RN Facebook Twitter Kristin Hayes, RN, is a registered nurse specializing in ear, nose, and throat disorders for both adults and children. Learn about our editorial process Updated on March 03, 2023 Medically reviewed by John Carew, MD Medically reviewed by John Carew, MD LinkedIn Twitter John Carew, MD, is board-certified in otolaryngology-head and neck surgery. He is an adjunct assistant professor at Mount Sinai Medical Center and NYU Medical Center. Learn about our Medical Expert Board Print Table of Contents View All Table of Contents Symptoms Causes Diagnosis Treatment When to See a Healthcare Provider Frequently Asked Questions Stomatitis is inflammation of the mucosal tissue of the mouth (inner cheeks, tongue, and/or gums). It can be caused by an infection, irritation, trauma to the mouth, or allergies. Stomatitis can be painful and may lead to canker sores or cold sores, which may make talking and eating uncomfortable or even difficult. Aphthous stomatitis is a common condition in which canker sores caused by stomatitis come back on a fairly regular basis. This article discusses what stomatitis is, why it occurs, and how it can be treated. Mohd Akhir / EyeEm / Getty Images Stomatitis Symptoms The severity of symptoms in stomatitis varies widely and may be related to the underlying cause of stomatitis. For some people, stomatitis may just be annoying or mildly bothersome. For others, it may be quite painful and make it difficult to eat and drink normally. Here are some common symptoms of stomatitis: Pain or irritation on the lips, cheeks, gums, tongue, or sides of the mouthYou may have a "burning sensation" in the mouthRed patches in the mouthUlcers, sores, or blisters inside the mouth or on the lips Ulcers and Sores In cases when stomatitis causes a canker sore, you may notice a lesion with a red base and yellow top, though this can vary. Canker sores can range in severity from annoying to extremely painful, and typically last one to two weeks before they heal. They also vary in size, but the majority of canker sores are quite small. When stomatitis causes a cold sore, you may first notice an area that feels itchy or tingly. This usually progresses to a fluid-filled sore which will eventually burst and ooze. After that, a yellow crust will form on top of the sore which will then scab and heal. Cold sores last on average seven to 10 days before they heal, usually without treatment, and are extremely contagious. People who get cold sores often get them in the exact same place repeatedly. Cold Sores vs. Canker Sores Stomatitis Causes There are many potential causes of stomatitis including: Injury from surgery Orthotics (such as braces or dentures) Biting the tongue or cheek Burns from hot food or drinks Thrush Chronic dry mouth Tobacco use Sexually transmitted diseases Herpes viruses Side effects of chemotherapy, radiation, or other medications Chemical exposure Certain allergies Stress or a weakened immune system Bacteria infections Nutritional deficiencies Bechet's disease Crohn's disease Lupus Diagnosis Many cases of stomatitis, especially canker sores or cold sores, can be diagnosed through a physical exam and a medical history including a history of your symptoms and any medications you are taking. In other cases, blood work or allergy testing may be necessary. In more complicated cases your healthcare provider may take a biopsy or a skin scraping of the lesion for testing to determine exactly what is causing your stomatitis. Because it involves the mouth, stomatitis is sometimes first diagnosed by a dentist rather than a medical healthcare provider. Although, your dentist may send you to your regular healthcare provider for follow up. Stomatitis Treatment Some cases of stomatitis—such as a mild case of canker sores—require no treatment. If treatment is required for stomatitis, it will depend on the underlying cause. For example, underlying allergies or infections may need to be identified and treated accordingly. Although each case will be different, your healthcare provider may recommend some of the following treatments to ease the pain of stomatitis or to aid in the healing process: Over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen Topical medications that help with pain or inflammation Drinking more fluids to keep the mucous membranes well hydrated Mouthwashes such as salt water (alcohol-based mouthwash should be avoided) Antiviral creams for cold stores are available over-the-counter, they should be applied as soon as you notice the cold sore coming on If you have injured the inside of your mouth from braces or dentures there are wax-based products that can be applied to protect the area Over-the-counter produce called Kanka creates a barrier layer over mouth lesions that can aid in pain relief Avoiding food that is very spicy, acidic, or very hot in temperature as these may further inflame the mucous membranes When to See a Healthcare Provider You should see a healthcare provider if you have unexplained symptoms of stomatitis or symptoms that last longer than a week or two. You should also seek medical attention if you are having trouble eating and drinking and could be in danger of dehydration. Other reasons to see a healthcare provider may include white patches on the tongue or sores in the mouth accompanied by a high fever. Do not hesitate to contact a healthcare provider for worrisome symptoms. Frequently Asked Questions Is stomatitis bacterial or viral? A viral or bacterial infection can cause stomatitis. But there are other possibilities as well, such as nutritional deficiencies. What is the best treatment for stomatitis? Stomatitis is treated by addressing its underlying cause. For example, if stomatitis is caused by tobacco use, then a person will be advised to stop smoking tobacco. Is there medicine for stomatitis pain? Yes, there are medicines to treat pain caused by stomatitis. For example, your healthcare provider may recommend an over-the-counter pain reliever or an antiviral cream. How do I get rid of canker sores? Simple canker sores will usually heal on their own within one to two weeks. If a sore becomes painful, you can use an over-the-counter oral care product that numbs the affected area to reduce pain. Also, home remedies like a saltwater solution can speed up healing. Herpes 8 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Edgar NR, Saleh D, Miller RA. Recurrent Aphthous Stomatitis: A Review. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2017;10(3):26-36. Plewa MC, Chatterjee K. Aphthous Stomatitis. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2019 Jan-. Chi CC, Wang SH, Delamere FM, Wojnarowska F, Peters MC, Kanjirath PP. Interventions for prevention of herpes simplex labialis (cold sores on the lips). Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2015;(8):CD010095. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD010095.pub2 American Academy of Family Physicians. Canker Sores. B. Hennessy. Stomatitis (Oral Mucositis). Merck Manual Professional Version. Lankarani KB, Sivandzadeh GR, Hassanpour S. Oral manifestation in inflammatory bowel disease: a review. World J Gastroenterol. 2013;19(46):8571-9. doi:10.3748/wjg.v19.i46.8571 Bertsias G, Cervera R, Boumpas DT. Systemic lupus erythematosus: pathogenesis and clinical features. EULAR textbook on rheumatic diseases. Geneva, Switzerland: European League Against Rheumatism, 2012. pp. 476–505. Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center. Aphthous Stomatitis (Canker Sores). By Kristin Hayes, RN Kristin Hayes, RN, is a registered nurse specializing in ear, nose, and throat disorders for both adults and children. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Medical Expert Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Other Helpful Report an Error Submit