What determines the speed of recovery?
With timely consultation with a doctor and proper treatment, the acute form of stomatitis can be cured in 3-7 days.
Optimistic forecasts are not always justified: too many factors influence the duration of the disease. Among them:
- reasons that caused the disease. So, for careless handling of the fork you will have to pay with 2-3 days of discomfort. But allergic stomatitis will not go away until the doctor identifies the allergen;
- correct diagnosis . Treatment of viral stomatitis is fundamentally different from fungal stomatitis, and prescriptions for the catarrhal variety have nothing to do with the list of measures necessary to treat the nicotine form;
- treatment literacy . And here only the professionalism and experience of the doctor will help;
- accuracy of compliance with recommendations . An interrupted course of antibiotic therapy, ignoring the need for further examination by other specialists, omissions in taking medications - all this prolongs the course of the disease;
- state of immunity . The lower the body’s protective function, the higher the likelihood of developing stomatitis and the longer the recovery period.
At the first symptoms: burning of the mucous membranes, unpleasant itching, the appearance of small but painful ulcers on the palate, inner surface of the lips or cheeks, you need to consult a dentist as soon as possible. After all, the main danger of stomatitis is its transition to an advanced form. And then treatment will take a long time and not always successfully. The risk factors here are:
- taking medications
that reduce immunity and disrupt intestinal microflora, for example, antibiotics; - vitamin deficiency
, including seasonal; - weakened immunity
. That is why it is absolutely impossible to let stomatitis take its course in infants, elderly people and pregnant women; - disruptions and restructuring of the hormonal system
. And again, expectant mothers are targeted, and along with them, teenagers in the transition period; - chronic diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, oral cavity, endocrine system
.
Even constant stress at work or misunderstandings in the family can cause stomatitis and its transition to a chronic form. Moreover, to completely cure the disease in this case, the efforts of the patient and the dentist are not enough. You will need to completely change your habits, diet, establish sleep and rest patterns, and even consult a psychologist.
How many days does it take for stomatitis to go away?
Dentists, like doctors of other specialties, really don’t like asking patients about recovery time. But statistics on the cure of various forms of the disease still exist. And the patient has the right to know how quickly he will restore his health.
Aphthous (bacterial) stomatitis
Causes:
The causative agents of aphthous stomatitis are streptococci, staphylococci, gonococci, mycobacteria, Helicobacter pylori.
Features of the flow:
This form of stomatitis got its name from the name of superficial ulcers on the mucous membrane - aft. They are formed at the slightest decrease in immunity, for example, in spring or autumn, if an untreated bacterial infection is lurking in the patient’s body.
In addition to damage to the mucous membranes of the mouth, acute bacterial stomatitis causes fever and inflammation of the submandibular lymph nodes. The most unpleasant thing about the disease is its very rapid transition to a chronic form and constant relapses.
Treatment:
It is simple to classify aphthous stomatitis, as well as to cure its acute form. For this purpose, rinses with antiseptics (Chlorhexidine, Furacillin), antipyretics (Paracetamol), and antibiotics (Amoxicillin, Lincomycin) are prescribed.
To prevent the disease from becoming chronic, it is important to identify the pathogen. To do this, a bacterial culture of the afts is carried out, and blood tests may be prescribed for the presence of antibodies. And after determining the culprit of the disease, the dentist will hand over the patient to a specialized specialist: a therapist (pediatrician), gastroenterologist, infectious disease specialist or venereologist.
The recovery period with timely initiation of treatment for acute aphthous stomatitis is 7-10 days. When self-medicated, the disease quickly turns into an ulcerative form, which does not heal for months.
Viral stomatitis
Causes:
rarely - causative agents of measles, chickenpox, most often - causative agents of herpes. The infection is transmitted by contact and airborne droplets.
Features of the flow:
The disease is severe, with high fever, weakness, nausea and vomiting. Multiple small bubbles filled with liquid form on the mucous membrane. After 3-4 days they burst and heal. But with weakened immunity, new ones immediately form in their place.
Unfortunately, the herpes simplex virus instantly spreads both in the family and in children's groups. And most of us, without knowing it, are its carriers. While the immune system is in order, the virus quietly sleeps in the nerve ganglia. But if you get cold or nervous, stomatitis is right there.
Treatment:
at high temperatures, it is necessary to adhere to bed rest, take antiviral (Acyclovir, Gerpevir) and antipyretic drugs (Nurofen, Paracetamol). Treatment of the oral cavity with local antiseptics (Chlorhexidine) multiple times throughout the day is mandatory. To prevent infection of all household members, it is important to provide the patient with separate dishes and personal hygiene items.
The recovery time for viral stomatitis is 8-10 days. Local immunostimulants, for example, chewable tablets with echinacea, will help prevent the disease from becoming chronic.
Fungal stomatitis (candidiasis, thrush)
Causes:
The causative agent is the fungus Candida.
Features of the flow
: This form of stomatitis primarily affects children under 3 years of age. Adults are threatened with fungal stomatitis only in the case of a very strong decrease in immunity, for example, with long-term aggressive antibiotic therapy.
A characteristic feature of the disease is a white cheesy coating on the oral mucosa. At the initial stage, it is easy to remove with a regular napkin. Later, this process becomes painful, erosions and minor bleeding occur.
Treatment:
Since fungal stomatitis mainly affects children, doctors often prescribe decoctions of medicinal herbs, such as sage and chamomile, as antiseptics for treating the oral cavity. The treatment regimen must include antifungal drugs (Futsis, Fluconazole, Nystatin, Candida drops) and immunomodulators (Viferon, Interferon).
The recovery time for candidiasis directly depends on the state of the immune system. For some, therapy will help in 4-5 days, for others it will be difficult to overcome the disease in a month.
Catarrhal stomatitis
Causes:
poor oral hygiene, use of other people's personal hygiene items, pockets of infection in the mouth - caries, tartar, trauma to the mucous membrane from hot food, sharp objects, chipped teeth or fillings, biting the cheeks.
Features of the flow:
catarrhal stomatitis occurs more often than others. It does not give such vivid visual symptoms as aphthous or fungal, so it is often detected at a very advanced stage.
Often the only sign of catarrhal stomatitis for a long time is only bad breath. It cannot be removed by diet or careful hygiene. A little later, patients notice increased salivation and inflammation of the gums. After a while, a yellowish coating will appear on the tongue, and bleeding of the soft tissues will begin.
Treatment:
catarrhal stomatitis is perfectly curable. This does not require antibiotics or antifungals. It is enough to rinse your mouth several times a day with either a decoction of sage, chamomile, a solution of calendula tincture, or use the pharmaceutical antiseptic Chlorhexidine. The anti-inflammatory and analgesic drug Cholisal will also significantly speed up the healing process.
When the traumatic factor disappears, the exacerbation process does not last long: 3-5 days. But, if the cause is not eliminated, for example, a chipped tooth, the healing process will take longer each time. Over time, ulcerative necrotic lesions form on the mucous membrane, to combat which the dentist will have to use the entire arsenal of the most powerful medications.
Allergic stomatitis
Causes:
allergens, which can be food and medicine, oral care products, and even the materials from which fillings, crowns, and orthodontic systems are made.
Features of the flow:
allergic stomatitis is the most severe form of the disease. It begins with slight discomfort: swelling and redness of the mucous membrane. If contact with the allergen continues, erosions form on the gums, tongue, inner surface of the lips and cheeks, and unbearable itching appears.
Over time, it becomes painful for patients not only to talk and eat, but even to breathe air through their mouths. At the same time, the general condition is steadily deteriorating. And if the irritant is not removed, even Quincke's edema and death are possible. Fortunately, sluggish allergic stomatitis is much more common: it does not produce such pronounced symptoms and does not lead to death, although it torments the patient for years.
Treatment:
The main task of the doctor is to identify the causative agent of the allergy. Without this, no drugs will lead to recovery. You can temporarily stop an allergic reaction with antihistamines (Fenistil, Claritin).
The recovery time for allergic stomatitis directly depends on the speed of identifying the allergen and eliminating contact with it. Under the most favorable circumstances, the doctor will overcome the disease in 10-15 days.
Forms of stomatitis
The general word “stomatitis” refers to inflammation, which can have a different course and arise for various reasons. There are several types of disease:
- Catarrhal.
- Aphthous.
- Candida.
- Herpetic (or herpes).
- Allergic.
Catarrhal
The catarrhal form of stomatitis is the most common; it is characterized by pain and hyperemia of the mucous membrane. Its color changes, becoming more red. Often its surface is covered with a whitish or yellowish coating. Your gums may bleed and your mouth may smell bad.
Aphthous
The aphthous form of stomatitis often becomes chronic, then it begins to appear regularly - several times a year. When it occurs, small ulcers covered with plaque are formed on the mucous membrane - aphthae. Usually, aphtha “warns” of itself by redness, burning and a slight bulge at the site of its future appearance. The erosions themselves are light in color with a red edge; when you press on them, pain is felt. In mild cases, only 1-2 erosions may occur, which disappear within a week. In severe cases, there are much more rashes, healing is more difficult and scars may remain in place of the aphthae.
Candida
Fungi of the genus Candida “love” to settle on mucous membranes, including the oral cavity. This often happens after long-term use of antibiotics, due to disruption of microflora and decreased immunity. The result is candidal stomatitis, which is manifested by burning of the mucous membrane, its redness, and the presence of a whitish coating in the mouth. Often these symptoms are accompanied by a feeling of unpleasant taste, or even loss of taste. Stomatitis often occurs in newborns who are still feeding on milk, and in adults who constantly use removable dentures .
Herpetic (or herpes)
Herpetic stomatitis is similar to aphthous stomatitis. It is also characterized by the appearance of light-colored ulcers with a red border and a film on top. And it can also appear periodically, since the herpes virus - its cause - remains in the body without being completely eliminated from it. At the very beginning of the disease, the mucous membrane acquires
red color and becomes very sensitive. Normal impacts on it can cause pain. The difference between aphthous and herpes stomatitis is that during the latter, vesicles 3–5 mm in size appear, which break through and form erosions. This process is very painful. The number of such bubbles depends on the severity of the disease. In severe cases, the temperature often rises.
Allergic
Allergic stomatitis is manifested by noticeable swelling of the mucous membrane, profuse salivation and itching in the mouth. Such stomatitis in children can occur when a new product appears in the diet, then the itching is especially intensified after eating. In older age, the cause is often a decrease in immunity.
In all of these forms, stomatitis begins with redness and increased sensitivity of the mucous membrane. At this stage, you cannot independently determine what the further development of the disease will be. Therefore, if the gums become red, enlarged, and begin to react painfully to food and even brushing, this is already a reason to consult a dentist. An experienced doctor will be able to determine the type of disease after examining and talking with the patient.
How long does stomatitis last in children?
In children, just like in adults, the speed of recovery directly depends on the type of disease. Approximate period: 7-14 days. If you consult a doctor in a timely manner and start treatment immediately, this time is enough to cope with the disease.
Often recovery is delayed due to the fault of the parents themselves. For example, they did not monitor the timely taking of medications and the implementation of treatment procedures, ignored the doctor’s recommendation to take additional tests, or turned to a pediatric dentist only after long-term self-medication did not lead to a positive result.
But sometimes even the most responsible parents cannot cope with stomatitis for a long time. Alas, this happens. This disease is insidious and multifaceted, its course depends on many factors, and is often unpredictable even for an experienced doctor.
How to understand that stomatitis has passed?
The fact that the disease is a thing of the past is indicated by the complete return of dental health to the level that preceded the disease. This:
- disappearance of ulcers and aphthae;
- stop bleeding gums;
- extinction of the inflammatory process;
- no pain when talking or eating;
- getting rid of bad breath.
Despite the fact that recovery is obvious to the patient, only a doctor can put an end to treatment. As a rule, this does not require additional tests. Treatment regimens have been verified over years of experience, and a routine examination is quite sufficient to confirm a cure.
Often the patient’s well-being returns to normal after 2-3 days, the ulcers heal, and the pain recedes. It is important not to stop treatment at this point. Antibiotics, antiviral and antifungal drugs are taken in courses for a reason. Their duration directly depends on the life cycle of pathogens. To completely destroy some it will take 5 days, others – 20. And only a doctor can determine the duration of treatment!
If you ignore the prescriptions and stop taking the medications, stomatitis will return at the first slight decrease in immunity. And it will be more difficult to cure him.
Symptoms
Symptoms of stomatitis appear depending on the cause. In any case, the first signs are itching and redness of the affected area, the tongue feels uneven. Further, the manifestations are already different from each other.
- Virus - itching intensifies, redness spreads to new areas, rash.
- Bacterial nature - first a rash, then vesicular formations, then blisters, ulcers that become inflamed and or fester.
- Fungi - from the very beginning, a white coating and unbearable itching, accompanied by an unpleasant, sometimes putrid odor from the mouth.
- Increased sugar - the formation of wounds with the release of colorless liquid (ichor), a constant sweetish odor is emitted from the mouth.
- Allergies - a small rash with or without itching, headache, possible weakness, nausea, unfocused attention for a few seconds.
- A sharp increase in temperature to 39 and above, regardless of the time of day, the temperature is not brought down by antipyretics. The skin peels off.
- Immune diseases - the temperature does not rise or drops to 36 and below, weakness, nausea, short-term fainting is possible.
Important! If the symptoms of stomatitis last 5-7 days or longer and no treatment is carried out, the disease goes into an advanced form with possible complications in the form of periodontitis, ulcers in the oral cavity, the development of connective tissue cancer, meningitis, breakthrough of suppuration into the lymphatic system or entry into the blood vessels , and this is blood poisoning, which, if not treated promptly, can be fatal.
Can stomatitis go away on its own?
Stomatitis can go away on its own without treatment, especially if we are talking about the catarrhal form. For example, while eating, the cheek was injured by a bone, and untreated caries caused infection of the wound. But the human immune system is in perfect order, and even if any infections are sleeping in the body, the defense system does not give them the slightest chance to wake up.
In this case, stomatitis will actually go away on its own in 5-7 days. But if you add at least rinses with antiseptics, recovery would occur within 3-4 days. But it’s not even the speed of healing that’s important, but the guarantees. So, if you consult a doctor in a timely manner, in 99% of cases the patient will be healthy within 2 weeks.
In the absence of treatment, the probability of forgetting about the problem in such a short period of time is less than 50%. For one simple reason: there are at least 5 varieties of the disease, and several times more pathogens. And only a doctor can determine the culprit of stomatitis.
If symptoms of stomatitis appear in a child, the parent’s task is to immediately seek professional help. For adults, we can recommend the following: if stomatitis does not go away on its own, there is no point in delaying visiting a doctor for longer than 7 days. Without medication, the disease will not go away.
Do not ignore preventive visits to the dentist.
It is enough to visit a specialist 1 – 2 times a year, which will allow you to promptly identify any dental problem at an early stage of development. This means that its elimination will be quick, easy and without complications.
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How to treat stomatitis
For any form of stomatitis, treatment begin with a visit to the doctor's office. The dentist must determine the form and severity of the disease in order to prescribe appropriate therapy. Self-medication may not bring results and thus aggravate the situation, allowing the disease to progress to a more severe stage.
The diagnosis of “stomatitis” is made by the doctor after an examination, and after that he can prescribe the patient to take an oral smear to find out the exact cause of the disease. PCR analysis of the biomaterial will show the presence or absence of a pathogen, for example a Candida fungus or a herpes virus. If the cause is not the pathogen, an additional visit to another doctor may be required. Thus, if allergic stomatitis is suspected, the patient will be referred to an allergist, and if immunity or metabolic disorders are suspected, the patient will be referred to an immunologist or gastroenterologist.
In addition to establishing the cause of the disease, the patient receives recommendations on how to treat stomatitis in his case , including:
- ✔️ Bringing oral hygiene back to normal and further supporting it;
- ✔️ Treatment of ulcers with special means, depending on the diagnosis - antiseptic, antiviral or antifungal;
- ✔️ Pain relief with anesthetics;
- ✔️ Use of products that eliminate inflammation and swelling;
- ✔️ Following a diet to restore the mucous membrane.
Although stomatitis is treated with drugs , the patient needs to adhere to a diet so that food does not cause mechanical damage to the already inflamed mucosa. You will have to exclude hard, sour, spicy and overly salty foods from your diet. The menu will be similar to what is prescribed for gastrointestinal diseases: boiled products crushed to a puree state, liquid porridges and broths, fermented milk products. Everything is warm temperature, nothing hot or cold. Even soft bread will have to be removed, as it can scratch irritated areas in the mouth. For children, the doctor gives recommendations depending on their age.
Consequences of advanced stomatitis
Complications of stomatitis are scary and varied. So, if treatment is not started in time for an infant, he will refuse to eat, which in turn will lead to weight loss and growth retardation. Lack of treatment for the disease at any age is guaranteed to reduce immunity, and is likely to provoke a sore throat or pharyngitis. Herpes stomatitis often results in decreased vision. And ignoring the aphthous form of the disease is fraught with scarring of soft tissues and even limiting the mobility of the jaw bones.
If bacterial stomatitis is left untreated, the disease very quickly turns into an intractable ulcerative form. If viral and fungal stomatitis is not treated, it will return again and again due to stress, colds, and vitamin deficiency. Well, the allergic form of the disease can even lead to death.
Treatment methods for stomatitis
If the pathology is of non-infectious origin, symptomatic treatment is carried out at home. For this purpose, decoctions and tinctures of medicinal herbs are often prescribed. For infectious stomatitis, medications are used to eliminate the cause of the disease and relieve painful symptoms.
Treatment of stomatitis in children
Therapeutic measures vary depending on the type of pathology:
- Fungal stomatitis is treated with antiseptics and antifungal drugs. Mouth rinsing is carried out at least five times a day.
- With herpetic stomatitis, irritating foods are excluded from the diet - spicy, sour, salty, fried, sweets, spices. Medicines include immunostimulants, antiviral drugs, vitamin complexes and antiseptics for mouth rinsing. Since the herpetic type is contagious, it is important to isolate the child with bed rest.
- Aphthous stomatitis is eliminated with the help of antiseptic agents for irrigation and rinsing the mouth, as well as vitamin complexes. In addition, all foods that can cause irritation of the mucous membranes of the mouth are excluded from the diet - citrus fruits, spicy foods, chocolate, lemonade, chips, crackers, etc.
- Bacterial stomatitis is treated with antibacterial drugs and local antiseptics.
- Chemical, traumatic and radiation types are eliminated with the help of symptomatic treatment - painkillers, antipyretics and other medications, depending on the manifestations. The affected areas are also treated with antiseptics.
- Therapy for viral stomatitis involves taking antiviral drugs, immunostimulants and vitamin complexes.
For all types of stomatitis, lesions are treated with ointments, gels, sprays with a healing and antiseptic effect. If you do not use locally applied products, treatment may be significantly delayed.
Why can stomatitis not go away for a long time?
If stomatitis is difficult to treat, most likely the disease has already become chronic or recurrent. The reason for this, with proper prescriptions and compliance with all doctor’s recommendations, may be:
- immunodeficiency states;
- chronic diseases of the nasopharynx: sinusitis, pharyngitis, tonsillitis;
- chronic diseases of the gastrointestinal tract: dysbacteriosis, colitis, gastritis, gastric ulcer;
- permanent injury to the gums and tongue from dental plaque, dentures, the edge of a chipped tooth or poorly fitting braces;
- allergies to toothpaste, mouthwash, medications, filling material.
Constant stress and depression have a detrimental effect on your health. They seriously reduce immunity, provoking the development of many diseases, including stomatitis.
Bad habits, such as smoking and eating seeds, also interfere with recovery. In both cases, the mucous membrane and tongue are constantly injured by hot smoke or the sharp edge of sunflower seeds.
What can cause stomatitis?
Many factors can lead to inflammation of the mucous membrane: from banal mechanical damage to disruptions in the body that are not related to the dentist’s field of work.
The following causes lead to stomatitis :
- neglect of oral hygiene recommendations;
- injury to the mucous membrane from sharp edges of teeth or fillings, dentures or other objects;
- dental diseases - caries, tartar, etc.;
- allergies - not only to food, but also to hygiene products and even dental materials;
- various diseases - from viral to endocrine, such as diabetes;
- poorly made prostheses;
- expired prostheses;
- metabolic or immune disorders;
- problems with microflora in the body;
- direct contact with the mucous membrane of pathogenic microorganisms;
- bad habits - smoking, drinking strong alcohol;
- reaction to certain medications.
The mucous membrane is much easier to damage than the skin. Especially in the mouth, where it is always exposed to temperature changes, touched by teeth, dentures, braces and solid food particles.
The cause of dental disease is mainly pathogenic bacteria (for example, caries is caused by streptococcus), which also harm the gums. And tartar is a hardened plaque that contains not only microbes, but also other unfavorable components. In addition, if the stone is subgingival, then the mucous membrane suffers first.
In many cases, allergies are discovered suddenly. The patient may not be aware of its presence, since he calmly eats any food. However, chemicals in toothpaste or mouthwash can cause a reaction. Studies have shown a negative effect on the mucous membranes of sodium lauryl sulfate, contained in some toothpastes. If the problem began soon after the restoration or treatment of the tooth, then you should consider the possibility of the body's response to the filling or crown material.
Decreased immunity can also cause deterioration of gums. And metabolic disorders affect not only the supply of microelements to the body’s tissues (including the mucous membrane), but also the composition of saliva, a decrease in the protective properties of which makes the oral cavity vulnerable to bacteria. Approximately the same can be said about the beneficial microflora: if it is in order, it helps to suppress the work of harmful microorganisms; if it is disrupted, the microbes attack vulnerable areas.
The cause of stomatitis in adults and children can be obvious - direct entry into the mouth of a large number of pathogenic bacteria. They can get from contaminated surfaces. Simply put, if a child constantly puts various objects into his mouth, stomatitis may occur. If an adult has carried through the years the bad habit of biting nails or pens, this can also contribute to the appearance of inflammation.
Medicines can have different effects on the body, in particular, they can affect the immune system, microflora and saliva production. Dry mouth is promoted by antihistamines and antihypertensive drugs, anticoagulants, antipsychotics, antispasmodics, etc. And a low level of saliva production provokes the growth of bacteria. Antibiotics and anti-asthma medications can lead to Candida infections in the mouth. There can be many options, including the influence of the sugar contained in the medicine. stomatitis often appears in adults as a result of treatment for a completely different pathology.
What to do if stomatitis does not go away?
When the disease does not subside, the main thing is to be patient. If additional tests have not been done yet, now is the time to do them. If the dentist recommends seeing a gastroenterologist or otolaryngologist, you need to listen to him. He doesn't do this because he wants to get rid of the patient. It’s just that in some cases it is more effective to fight the disease not alone, but with a team of specialists. The main thing is to identify the cause of the disease. And, unfortunately, in rare cases this can take months.
How to prevent relapse?
If once stomatitis has already made itself felt, it is worth making some changes in your life that will help avoid relapse:
- do not put off dental treatment until later;
- do not ignore nasopharyngeal diseases;
- treat gastrointestinal problems in a timely manner;
- supplement your oral hygiene with a rinse and irrigator;
- Make a habit of eating vegetables or fruits at every meal;
- take a course of multivitamins twice a year;
- avoid injuring the oral mucosa with hot and cold foods;
- take care not only of your physical, but also of your mental health: get enough sleep, rest on time, pamper yourself.
It is especially important if you are prone to stomatitis to choose a competent dentist. At the first visit, you need to tell him about past problems so that the doctor can prevent the development of the disease. For example, be as careful as possible when removing tartar or immediately prescribe gum treatment with Metrogil Denta gel when installing a prosthesis.
Author: Elena Grunina Dentist-therapist, endodontist. Work experience more than 9 years.
The information is for reference only. Before treatment, consultation with a doctor is necessary.
