Stomatitis
Stomatitis is kind of pain which is felt inside the mouth. This condition can involve open sores (canker sores) or redness and swelling. This occurs on the inside of the cheeks or on the tongue or gums. Stomatitis is more common in children, but it can occur at any age.
Causes of Stomatitis
At present, there are many causes of stomatitis, but the most common one is viral infections. Other common causes are:
- Injury or irritation of the mouth lining
- Fungal or bacterial infections
- Using tobacco
- Irritating foods or chemicals, such as citrus fruit, toothpaste, or mouthwash
- Lack of certain vitamins, including vitamins B and C
- A weakened immune system
How to care
- Use a local numbing solution for pain relief. Ask the chemist for suggestions on which brand and strength are best for your child. You may apply this directly to the sores with a cotton swab or with your finger. Use the numbing solution just before meals if eating is a problem.
- Older children may rinse their mouth with warm saltwater (½ teaspoon of salt in 1 glass of warm water). Be certain they spit the rinse out and do not swallow it.
- Feed your child a soft diet, along with plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration. If your child doesn't want to eat solid food items, it's alright for a few days, as long as he or she drinks lots of fluids. Cool drinks and frozen treats (sherbet) are soothing. Avoid citrus juices (orange juice, lemonade, etc.) and salty or spicy food items, since these may cause more pain in the mouth.
Symptoms
Symptoms of Stomatitis
Stomatitis can result in a variety of symptoms, including:
Treatment
Treatment of Stomatitis
For a viral infection, generally only the symptoms are treated. Antibiotics do not kill viruses and are not recommended for this condition. This infection should go away within 7 to 10 days.
