Diseases of the mouth and gums

Pain in the mouth can have a variety of causes. There are pathologies accompanied by discomfort and pain in this place. If they persist for a long time, as well as discomfort when eating, you should immediately consult a doctor.

Oral cavity hurts

It is also important to pay attention to such signs of pain as the nature and location of its manifestation. Let's talk about why the oral cavity hurts, what diseases have such a symptom, and also which doctor to see if it occurs.

Mucosal injury

For any person, the cause of pain in the mouth can be ordinary injuries.

Trauma is often the cause of mouth pain.

For example:

• eating something too hot/cold. This injures the mucous membrane, and pain quickly appears in it. Inflammation indicates the presence of injury to the mucosa, caused by temperature exposure, and at the same time incompatible with its integrity. Eating something very hot can cause injury to both the palate and the tongue, as well as the throat;
• rough food, which can leave scratches on the roof of your mouth and on the inside of your cheeks. This causes pain and burning to appear after a day or two;
• A child has more ways to damage his or her mucous membrane than an adult. The baby can scratch it with his thin nail or put something in his mouth, for example, a toy. And if the child is somewhat older, his mucous membrane can be damaged by lollipops and chips.

When choosing a remedy for pain, it is very important to pay attention to the nature of the injury:

• in case of a burn, it is useful to rinse your mouth with warm water and then use Metrogil Denta dental ointment;

"Metrogil Denta"

• In case of mechanical damage, it is recommended to immediately use antiseptics by rinsing your mouth with them. For an adult, it is useful to rinse your mouth with a mixture: 10-15 drops of 3% hydrogen peroxide per glass of water. Decoctions of calendula and chamomile are also good. Also good are the drugs “Rotokan” and “Miramistin”, which fight infection as well as inflammation.

"Miramistin"

The main rule: no self-medication! Therapy must be prescribed by a specialist. Otherwise, you can make the situation even worse. So if symptoms appear, it is recommended to visit a doctor. He will prescribe the best treatment for a particular situation.

Gingivitis

If your gums are itchy, you feel a burning sensation only in them, and at the same time they are red, swollen and bleeding, then it may be gingivitis. Gingivitis is a reversible inflammatory gum disease caused by the accumulation of bacteria along the gum line. These bacteria cause inflammation of soft tissues and can cause more serious dental problems. It should be remembered that without treatment, gingivitis can lead to the development of a much more serious disease, periodontitis.

Careful care of your teeth and gums using antibacterial toothpaste and a soft-bristled brush will help you get rid of gingivitis. Brush your teeth at least twice a day and visit your dentist regularly for professional plaque removal.

Dental pathologies

The infection can be acquired by not following the rules of personal hygiene, as well as by contact with an already sick person. The most common pathologies are listed below.

Stomatitis

There are several types of stomatitis that can cause pain in the oral mucosa.

There are several types of stomatitis

• Allergic stomatitis

Gingivitis

This disease is inflammation of the gums. They hurt while eating, talking, and the pain is felt even when at rest. The likelihood of contracting this pathology does not depend on age category.

Gingivitis – inflammation of the gums

With gingivitis, the gums turn red and bleed, pain appears in the mouth, and it begins to smell unpleasant. This disease is treated in a dental clinic.

Herpes

This pathology, which occurs in the mouth, is a consequence of the spread of the herpes virus throughout the body. No part of the mucous membrane in the human body is protected from it. But usually this disease manifests itself on the lips.

Small ulcers form on the mucous membrane of the mouth and in the throat, causing pain. At first these are bubbles with yellow liquid. When they burst, they leave behind wounds. They also cause discomfort.

Herpes most often forms on the lips, however, due to this pathology, pain in the oral cavity may occur

The same sensations are felt at any degree of damage. It is very painful to touch the source of the pathology, to eat, or just to drink. Herpes is treated by an infectious disease specialist.

Here it is important to first remove the inflammation, and only then begin the actual treatment. At home, it is useful to rinse your mouth with a decoction of chamomile and calendula. It would not be superfluous to use Miramistin and chlorhexidine solution.

To defeat the disease, the doctor prescribes specific medications for external or internal use. Self-medication here, as with many other health problems, is harmful.

Important ! Only a specialist has the necessary experience needed to correctly diagnose the disease and determine how far it has gone.

You need to see a doctor who will prescribe appropriate medications

Neuralgia

If inflammation damages nerve endings, the pain spreads widely. With neuralgia of the muscles of the face and jaw, discomfort in the mouth is also possible. Then the pain is felt when the jaw works, which happens while eating, speaking or yawning.

In this case, symptoms include more pain during certain activities. The source of pain is inside the tissue, in the muscle, not on the mucous membrane. A visual inspection will not show anything here.

• Stomatitis medicine for children

With this problem, therapy comes down to restoring damaged nerves and muscles. To make a correct diagnosis, you should undergo an x-ray of the affected area of ​​the face, and also consult with an oral surgeon.

For neuralgia of the muscles of the face and jaw, it is also recommended to consult an oral surgeon

Next, the specialist prescribes therapy, focusing on how severe the case is. Neuralgia is usually treated using antibiotics, as well as some specific remedies.

Worth knowing ! It happens that patients are hospitalized.

Sialometaplasia

Benign lesion of the palatine salivary glands. At first, you can suspect something is wrong by noticing not too large seals on the hard palate, similar to nodules. The growth of the affected areas occurs quickly, and their dimensions can reach up to 20 mm. With this pathology, the patient feels aching pain and pulsation where the ulcers are localized.

People aged 40-50 years are susceptible to this pathology. Moreover, more than half of the patients are men. The disease occurs due to one of the following reasons:

• damage to the mucosa;
• vasospasm;
• injections for dental procedures.

Sialopetaplasia is a benign lesion of the palatine salivary glands.

Important ! With this pathology, the most important thing is to make a correct diagnosis. This is because its symptoms can easily be confused with other ailments.

Be that as it may, you should always identify the very cause of pain in the oral cavity. Only then can a specialist prescribe the necessary therapy and give certain recommendations on how to keep the mouth clean and prevent relapses.

Why does my mouth hurt?

Pain in the mouth can be caused by both local and systemic factors. Painful sensations in the oral cavity usually do not bother you in isolation. As a rule, they are combined with other symptoms characteristic of a certain pathology: hyperemia and swelling of the mucous membrane, rashes and ulcers in the oral cavity, plaque, unpleasant odor, difficulty chewing and opening the mouth, and salivation. Pain in the mouth, despite its local nature, disrupts general well-being and performance, and prevents normal diction and proper food intake.

Lip pain

Is local or diffuse in nature. It can be caused by traumatic, infectious, chemical, physical factors, or tumor lesions. The pain is usually combined with dry lips, cracks, redness, blistering rashes, ulceration, and dry crusts. Common causes of lip pain:

• Cheilitis.
  It may be a consequence of sensitization (allergic cheilitis), neurogenic causes (exfoliative, macrocheilitis), unfavorable climatic factors (meteorological cheilitis), vitamin deficiency (hypovitaminous cheilitis), infection (glandular cheilitis). Common signs are damage to the red border, accompanied by dryness, painful cracks and ulcers, swelling, burning, itching.
• Labial herpes.
  In the prodromal period, local tingling, tingling, itching in the area of ​​the upper or lower lip is noted. Then a bubble containing liquid appears. After spontaneous or forced opening of the vesicle, an ulcer forms in its place, which dries out and becomes covered with a scab. When the crust cracks, ichor oozes out from under it. Elements of herpes are sharply painful at all stages. It takes 10-12 days from the prodrome to complete epithelialization.
• Lichen planus.
  May affect the red border of the lips, tongue, and oral mucosa. The main elements are papules, which, when fused, form whitish areas of keratinization. Sometimes LLP occurs with the formation of weeping areas, erosions, blisters - in these cases, a burning sensation and severe pain in the mouth are added, making it impossible to eat.
• Trigeminal neuralgia.
  Trigeminal neuralgia is a common cause of facial pain. When the maxillary and mandibular branches of the trigeminal nerve are damaged, sharp, intense shooting pains in the cheek, upper or lower lip, or jaw, reminiscent of electric shocks, may occur.
• Injuries.
  Lip burns can be caused by drinking hot drinks, exposure to harsh chemicals, or exposure to sunlight or open flames. With mild burns, pain, swelling of the lip, and hyperemia appear; in severe cases, blisters, scabs, and tissue necrosis form. Mechanical damage (cuts, biting) to the lips is accompanied by pain and bleeding.
• Lip cancer.
  Externally it may appear as a warty or papillomatous growth or infiltrate. At first, the elements do not cause discomfort, but their ulceration, infection, and decay are accompanied by severe pain in the mouth.

Transient swelling and soreness of the lips are observed after a number of cosmetic procedures and surgical interventions: permanent makeup, piercing, injection of hyaluronic fillers, cheiloplasty.

Mouth pain

Pain in gums

As a rule, it is associated with diseases of the oral cavity or behavioral factors (incorrect selection of a toothbrush, use of toothpicks, smoking). Pathologies that cause pain in the gums:

• Inflammatory processes.
  Painful sensations in the mouth are a pathognomonic sign of inflammatory diseases: gingivitis, stomatitis, periodontitis. With gingivitis, the gums become swollen, painful, and bleeding. Stomatitis can occur with the formation of plaque in the mouth, extremely painful aphthae and ulcers. With periodontitis, pain in the gums is aggravated by bad breath, the formation of periodontal pockets, suppuration, and loosening of teeth.
• Periodontitis.
  In acute periodontitis or exacerbation of a chronic process, painful swelling of the gums occurs in the area of ​​the affected tooth. When the pyogenic flora is activated, a flux is formed, accompanied by throbbing pain. When it is opened, a fistula may form. Severe pain occurs during chewing and speaking.
• Injuries.
  Damage to the gums can occur both from direct mechanical impact and from difficult tooth eruption. In the latter case, pericoronitis develops. Injury to gum tissue and pain are also accompanied by dental procedures: tooth extraction, installation of a dental crown/prosthesis, dental implantation, operations (gingivotomy, gingivoplasty, etc.).
• Allergy.
  May be caused by a reaction to denture materials, medications, or local anesthetics. It occurs in the form of allergic stomatitis, cheilitis, glossitis. Characterized by hyperemia, burning, swelling of the mucous membrane, hypersalivation, pain when eating.

Tongue pain

Pain in the tongue is associated with local infectious-inflammatory, traumatic, allergic, neurogenic, and neoplastic processes. In addition to local factors, pain in the mouth can be provoked by systemic diseases: hypovitaminosis B1, B2, B12, pellagra, iron deficiency anemia, collagenosis, leukemia, etc. Local causes of pain in the tongue:

• Glossitis.
  Pain of varying intensity is observed with desquamative, candidal, herpetic, allergic, traumatic and other glossitis. Swelling, glossodynia, plaque, and changes in taste sensitivity may also occur.
• Xerostomia.
  It is a consequence of radiotherapy, chemotherapy, medication, smoking, Sjogren's disease, diseases of the salivary glands. Dry mouth makes eating, swallowing, and speaking difficult and painful.
• Glossalgia.
  It occurs with attacks of burning pain in the tongue, which are more pronounced in its tip and lateral surfaces. There is hyperemia or pallor of the tongue. Repeated painful attacks change the psychological state of patients - they become irritable, suspicious, and tearful.
• Galvanism.
  Develops as a result of irrational prosthetics. It is characterized by swelling and hyperemia of the tongue, sensations of pain, burning, rawness, and a metallic taste in the mouth.
• Neuropathies.
  Pain in the tongue of neurogenic origin occurs with neuralgia of the glossopharyngeal and hypoglossal nerves. In the first case, the pain is localized in the area of ​​the root of the tongue, in the second - in the back of the tongue. More often it is unilateral in nature, occurs in paroxysms, and is provoked by talking, coughing, and swallowing. It has an intense pulsating, drilling, burning character.
• Tongue cancer.
  Manifests with the appearance of painless or slightly painful formations: growths, ulcers, compactions. In the advanced stage, local or diffuse pain occurs, radiating to the jaw, ear, and temporal region. Salivation increases, foul breath appears, spontaneous bleeding from the tongue, difficulty articulating and swallowing.

Dental diagnostics

First aid for stomatitis

The most common cause of pain in the oral cavity is stomatitis.

Note! All of the medications listed are suitable only for relieving pain, but not for treating stomatitis itself. So you should still contact the dentist as soon as the opportunity arises.

The doctor will prescribe a comprehensive treatment for pathologies

The hospital uses complex treatment. This includes physiotherapy, as well as the following types of medications:

• anti-inflammatory;
• antibacterial;
• antiviral;
• proteolytic enzymes.

To alleviate the symptoms of this disease at home, painkillers are useful, as well as mouth rinses to get rid of inflammation.

It is also useful to use painkillers at home:

• How to rinse your mouth for stomatitis in adults

• "Analgin";
• "Tempalgin";
• "Panadol";
• paracetamol;
• aspirin.

Important ! The latter is also good as a means to combat inflammation.

To relieve discomfort, it is recommended to use painkillers

Burning mouth syndrome

Burning mouth syndrome, or BMS, can affect different parts of the mouth, such as the gums, palate or tongue, as well as the lining of the cheeks and the back of the throat. Experts note that the symptoms of this condition can be either transient or permanent. Patients with GIPR experience a burning or tingling sensation, extreme thirst, or dry mouth. In some people, CVD is accompanied by loss of taste or the appearance of a metallic taste in the mouth.

Often the exact cause of CVD is difficult to determine. This condition may be associated with other health problems, such as nutrient and vitamin deficiencies, hormonal changes (particularly in menopausal women), endocrine disorders, certain medications, or oral fungal infections. Brushing your tongue or gums too vigorously—especially if you use a stiff-bristled brush—and using abrasive toothpaste or alcohol-based mouthwash can cause an unpleasant burning sensation in your mouth. CVD may also be associated with stress.

How to treat?

Before choosing a course of treatment for stomatitis, the specialist finds out where this pathology came from in this case. To save a patient, for example, from catarrhal stomatitis, tartar is removed, teeth are treated and filled. To relieve him of ulcerative stomatitis, the doctor conducts a thorough examination of the body for problems with the blood, gastrointestinal tract, heart and blood vessels. And with aphthous stomatitis, the sick person is examined for allergies and rheumatism.

The course of therapy depends on the nature of the pathology

Along with treating the disease, the specialist prescribes local therapy, which means rinsing the mouth with chlorhexidine - 0.05% or 1% solution. The following drugs are also used when rinsing:

• aminocaproic acid;
• herbal decoctions;
• methylene blue.

A gentle diet will help speed up treatment.

Here are the foods to avoid:

• spicy;
• roast;
• rough food.

Here are some things you should increase your consumption of:

• porridge;
• pureed soups;
• vitamins (special emphasis on A and C).

Important ! After eating, you should rinse your mouth thoroughly. First with clean warm water, then with medicine.

After eating you need to rinse your mouth

Treatment for stomatitis usually takes from five days to one and a half weeks. But if the disease is started, it will last longer, becoming more and more severe.

Traditional therapy

Herbal decoctions, used mainly for rinsing, have some anti-inflammatory and at the same time anesthetic effects for stomatitis.

First. Onion peel infusion:

• chop dry onion peel;
• 3 tsp. pour the resulting mixture with 500 ml of hot water;
• boil;
• leave for 7-8 hours;
• strain

Second. Horse sorrel decoction :

• Signs of stomatitis in adults and its treatment

• chop horse sorrel roots;
• 1 tbsp. l. pour the resulting mixture with 1 tbsp. water;
• boil for 15 minutes;
• strain.

Third. Calendula decoction:

• Pour boiling water over calendula flowers in the proportion of 1 tbsp. l. flowers for 1 tbsp. water;
• leave for 15 minutes;
• strain.

Traditional medicine methods are also effective in combating oral pathologies

Fourth. Nettle infusion:

• finely chop nettle leaves;
• 1 tbsp. l pour 2 tbsp. boiling water;
• let stand for half an hour;
• strain;
• use if the gums are bleeding and the oral cavity is “decorated” with ulcers.

Fifth:

• Pour 1 part of onion juice into an enamel-coated container;
• dissolve 1 part honey in a hot bath;
• pour onion juice with 2 parts water and honey;
• cool;
• Make lotions and compresses from the result in case of inflammation of the gums and oral mucosa.

Sixth:

• 2 tbsp. l. St. John's wort and 1 tbsp. l. pour chamomile into porcelain dishes;
• pour boiling water;
• stir, close the lid;
• hold for 1.5 hours;
• strain through a sieve.

St. John's wort and chamomile help eliminate inflammation

Seventh:

• 1 tbsp. l. chop sage leaves and calendula flowers;
• put them in a pan covered with enamel;
• pour one and a half cups of boiling water;
• stir;
• put in a water bath;
• Cook over medium heat for 10 minutes, covering with a lid;
• cool to ambient temperature;
• strain through cotton cloth.

Eighth:

• 1 tsp each fresh onion juice and Kalanchoe juice, as well as 3 tbsp. l. pour water into porcelain dishes;
• stir.

Ninth:

• 1 tbsp. l. Brew one and a half cups of boiling water for green tea;
• wait 40 minutes;
• at this time dissolve 1 tbsp. l. honey in the bath;
• strain the tea;
• add honey;
• mix.

Tenth:

• 2 tbsp. l. plantain pour 1 tbsp. boiling water;
• close the lid;
• hold for 15 minutes;
• strain through a fine sieve;
• cool.

You need to rinse your mouth with decoctions regularly

Important ! You need to rinse your mouth with such decoctions every two hours every day.

Stomatitis and pediatrics

It is quite difficult to treat stomatitis in representatives of the younger generation. It is very difficult to force them to rinse their mouths, and even more difficult to treat them with medicine. However, patience and affection will allow you to succeed.

Important ! A child with this problem often develops a fever.

With fungal stomatitis, not only ulcers appear, but also a coating reminiscent of curdled milk. During herpes, the ulcers can spread beyond the mouth, now also around it.

In children, stomatitis and other oral pathologies are more difficult to treat

Infants often develop fungal stomatitis, which causes them to be capricious and refuse to eat. Whitish spots on the tongue, reminiscent of curdled milk, can be noticed simply by looking into the baby's mouth. Among the most well-known methods of treating fungal stomatitis is wiping the mouth with a soda solution. To prepare this remedy, you need 1 tsp. Stir soda in a glass of boiled water, wrap gauze around your finger, soak it in the solution, and then wipe the inside of the baby’s mouth.

If the pathology is at the initial stage of development, honey will be useful. They should lubricate ulcers and affected areas of the mucous membrane. But this is only permissible if the baby is not allergic to honey. Syrup from fragrant rose petals is useful. It is done like this: the petals of the plant are washed with cold boiled water, after which they are covered with sugar in a ratio of 1:2 and infused. Heat in a bathhouse for half an hour until all the sugar has dissolved and a pleasant-smelling syrup is obtained, similar in thickness to liquid honey. It is useful to lubricate the baby's ulcers with this syrup every time after he eats.

You can relieve your child of pain in the mouth using honey and various syrups.

Interesting ! Thanks to a wider selection of acceptable medications, stomatitis in older children is easier to treat.

Here are examples of suitable ointments:

• Finely grind 3 garlic cloves, mix in a dessert spoon of yogurt. Apply to sore spots in the mouth three times a day. Due to the pain of this technique, it is not suitable for babies under one year old;
• take tsp. honey and sunflower oil, the white of one egg, an ampoule of novocaine 0.5%. Mix everything;
• Simply place a cut aloe leaf on the ulcer.

Rinsing the child’s mouth with infusions of chamomile and kombucha, fresh cabbage or carrot juice is also useful.

You can treat the oral mucosa with brilliant green, but this must be done very carefully

Separately, it is necessary to mention ordinary brilliant green. It is an excellent drying and antibacterial medicine, but caution is required when using it: it can irritate the mucous membranes.