What Is Stomatitis?

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.

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 mouth
• You may have a "burning sensation" in the mouth
• Red patches in the mouth
• Ulcers, 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.

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.