Knowing the causes of stomatitis, you can protect yourself from this extremely unpleasant disease. The health problem itself is extremely common, which is explained by several factors at once - both the lifestyle, the habits of many people, and the weakness of the immune system, pathological agents. Consider what is usually denoted by the term "stomatitis", where it comes from and how to cope with trouble.
general information
Before analyzing the causes of stomatitis, you need to clearly articulate what this disease is. The term is currently accepted to denote such a pathological condition when the mucous membrane of the oral cavity is covered with small ulcers. A variety of factors can provoke this, but most often - infection with an infectious agent:
To successfully cope with the disaster, it is necessary to start a treatment program by identifying the causes of stomatitis in a particular case. By eliminating the primary source of the problem, you can restore human health. It should be remembered that relapse is characteristic of stomatitis, which means that to prevent the recurrence of the problem, it will be necessary to carry out prophylaxis.
Description of the disease
Since there are many causes of stomatitis, almost any modern person is faced with the factors provoking the disease. Equally, this is characteristic of all ages and genders, nationalities. Medical statistics say that stomatitis in various forms at least once occurred in a predominant percentage of the world's population.
At present, it was not possible to identify exactly what the mechanism of development of stomatitis is. As a rule, the reason is a specific response of human immunity to a certain irritating factor, an unidentified molecule. The nuances of the reactions that occur in this case are not yet known to doctors. The appearance of molecules that are not identifiable by the immune system leads to a lymphocytic attack, which is expressed by the formation of ulcerative lesions on the mucous membranes.
A distinctive feature of stomatitis is the duration of the disease. In the best case, ulcers go away in just a few days (from four or more), but often the unpleasant condition lasts for a couple of weeks or even longer. As the healing sites merge with the surrounding tissues, leaving no traces and scars, but the chance of relapse is high. Doctors say that a person who has had stomatitis once will face it in the future - the probability of recurrence is close to 100%.
It is possible to observe frequent stomatitis. The reason for the phenomenon is the transition of the form to a typical one. There is a risk of a chronic disease when ulcerations on the mucous membranes are constantly present - some heal, but new ones appear immediately.
On average, for the first time, a person meets stomatitis at the age of over ten, but younger than twenty, although there are cases when the disease was diagnosed in newborns or first appeared in adulthood. At the age of over 20 years, relapses of the disease are less common, easier to tolerate. The average number of patients on the planet is currently estimated at 20% of the population. There is no evidence of the possibility of infection with stomatitis from another person.
Where the trouble came from: general features
A common cause of stomatitis in adults and children is trauma to the oral mucosa. It is not necessary to get serious cuts, burns or to experience similar unpleasant events - stomatitis can provoke a banal bite of tissues. If a person uses crowns, prostheses, the edges of such products can affect the mucous membrane. Having become accustomed, a person does not feel a touch, but the microscopic damage to organic structures that forms during this process leads to an ulcerative process. Another mechanical cause of stomatitis in adults and children is the use of foods of increased stiffness in food: crackers, seeds and the like.
In most cases, stomatitis on the background of damage to the integrity of the mucosa independently exhausts itself in a couple of days. Prolonged discomfort is possible if the injury leads to complications. Particularly careful should be persons suffering from a deficiency of immunity, chronic diseases.
Chemistry and Health
One of the causes of stomatitis is the negative effect of chemical compounds used to clean the oral cavity. These include primarily the components of toothpastes. The greatest risks are associated with VLF - sodium lauryl sulfate. The component is added to toothpastes for better foam generation during the cleaning process of the oral cavity. The substance, as studies have shown, is aggressive, can provoke a relapse of stomatitis. The effect of the chemical compound on the mucous membranes makes them weaker, more vulnerable to pathological life forms, food irritants, and any contact with an aggressive object causes a ulcerative process.
To identify the significance of this cause of stomatitis in adults, a special study was organized. Doctors controlled the condition of two groups of people. The former used pastes containing sodium lauryl sulfate; the latter used formulations without this component. In the first group, the relapse rate of stomatitis was significantly higher. Persons who used pastes without VLF noted that there were cases of an ulcerative process in their group, but the formations themselves were faster, showed only weak unpleasant impressions, but in the second group, relapses were characterized by a rather severe course.
Lifestyle as a reason
Treatment of stomatitis is often needed for people who eat unbalanced, incorrectly. People are more susceptible to the problem, in the diet of which there are not enough vitamin compounds from group B. In some cases, the insufficiency is considered to be the reasons:
Lack of selenium can play a role.
An equally significant factor is the stressful situations to which a person is exposed in everyday life. Studies have repeatedly proved that stress can provoke a huge number of diseases. Against the background of the constant influence of such situations, treatment of stomatitis is often required. The reason is that emotional instability, mental overload undermine the body's defenses, making it vulnerable to aggressive agents, and regenerative processes are inhibited.
Health: complex issues
One of the causes of stomatitis in the mouth is an allergic reaction. More often, pathology accompanies food allergies, but it is also possible with the body's response to other substances and compounds. If there is reason to believe that in a particular case the source of the problem is food allergy, the patient will have to keep a food diary, where all the substances that enter the body during the day are recorded. Even compounds that are present in food at a minimum concentration are taken into account. Meticulously keeping such a diary and following the doctor’s instructions regarding the exclusion of different elements of the diet and introducing new ones, you can find out what are the causes of stomatitis in the mouth in children and adults in a particular case.
Additionally, if you suspect an allergy, a specific study is prescribed, confirming the fact of an allergic reaction. In the course of such an analysis, doctors will be able to more accurately find out what exactly causes the body's response, what individual characteristics are characteristic of the case. According to statistics, allergies are most often provoked by:
- milk products;
- cereals;
- citrus;
- vegetables;
- nuts
- chocolate;
- seafood.
An allergic reaction to mint extracts included in toothpastes, medicines and metals, materials used by dentists is possible. Even chewing gum can provoke a negative response of the body.
Health: trouble does not come alone
A possible cause of stomatitis in the mouth in adults is bacterial infection. The ulcerative lesions that develop during the disease are nurseries of pathological microscopic life forms. Most of these agents are present in the human body, but the immune system inhibits the development of colonies, so there are no problems. Due to various factors of inhibition of immunity, bacteria multiply actively, which leads to the appearance of ulcers on the oral mucosa. Doctors say that bacteria are not always the primary factor in the disease, but for complications, they are the key aspect.
The cause of frequent stomatitis in adults is hormonal failure. To a greater extent, this is characteristic of women during pregnancy, but not only: hormonal disorders can cause the ulcerative process in men, adolescents, and children. Doctors believe that women have a connection between stomatitis and certain phases of the menstrual cycle, but much of the information remains to be clarified.
The cause of persistent stomatitis can be heredity. Scientists have found that people whose close relatives, especially parents, often suffered from stomatitis, are more likely to have an ulcerative process than those who have healthy relatives.
A variety of diseases play a role. For example, the cause of stomatitis in children and adults can be chronic diseases that do not manifest themselves as pronounced symptoms. In any case, stomatitis, especially frequent - is a reason for a full examination. Perhaps he signals a very serious illness, while the current is secretive. Of the systemic pathologies that can provoke mouth ulcers, there are malignant neoplasms, so you should be extremely attentive to your health.
There are many options!
It is very difficult to list all the possible causes of stomatitis in children and adults. Doctors suggest that even the extensive list that is currently known has yet to be completed - much to the science is still unclear. It was possible to identify that ulcerative processes are more often observed against the background of:
- dehydration;
- prolonged loose stool;
- vomiting
- significant blood loss;
- prolonged heat;
- active in excess of urination;
- alcohol abuse;
- smoking;
- chemotherapy.
The cause of frequent stomatitis in a child may be neglect of the rules of oral hygiene. However, this applies not only to children, but also to adults. In addition, low-quality prostheses can provoke trouble. Stomatitis bothers people who don’t have prostheses installed correctly, as well as those who do not care for them, as recommended by hygiene standards.
Already need treatment?
The causes of stomatitis in children and adults provoke small formations that bring significant discomfort. They are the main symptom of the disease. Localization Area:
- cheeks;
- lips
- the bottom of the oral cavity;
- patches under the tongue;
- near tonsils;
- soft sky.
At the very beginning of the development of the disease, the area turns red, slightly swollen. Perhaps a slight burning sensation. After some time, the site turns into a small ulcer. The shape is usually an oval or circle. In an uncomplicated case, the ulcer is small, solitary, has smooth edges, as if circled in a reddish circle. Organic tissues near the area are visually perfectly healthy, and a grayish film appears in the center, which is not tightly attached to the affected area.
Whatever the cause of stomatitis, the process itself will probably be quite painful. Sometimes ulcers become so unpleasant source of sensations that even meals are given to the patient with difficulty. In severe cases, difficulties with the movement of the tongue and lips are possible.
Quite often, the cause of stomatitis in the mouth is a bacterial infection against a background of weakened immunity. Under the influence of such a factor (and also in some other cases), the probability of the formation of multiple ulcerations is high - up to six, and sometimes even more. Ulcers scattered across the oral cavity, usually do not fuse. Less commonly, ulcers form in the neighborhood, eventually merging into one large formation.
Forms and Features
Chronic stomatitis is quite common. The causes of such a disease are indicated above: any of the factors can provoke a chronic form, and the transition from an acute illness to a chronicle is explained by numerous nuances of the state of health.
It must be understood that stomatitis is a disease that in most cases gives a relapse. Each new manifestation may differ from the previous one, and the frequency of development in most patients is several times a year. The chronic form is somewhat less common. More often people note shallow, small-sized foci.
The patient's condition is worse if stomatitis appears in aphthous form. In this case, the ulcers are large, deep, bring significant discomfort, can cause serious complications. Of course, they are much more difficult to treat. Often, after recovery, traces of the eye remain on the mucosa.
Symptomatology
Appeared in the mouth in adults, in children, stomatitis is the reason:
- bad smell;
- activation of salivation;
- high sensitivity of the tongue.
Note that the disease began in the child, it is possible if the baby is anxious, often cries and does not want to eat.
With stomatitis, ulcerations of the mucous membrane of the mouth, corners of the lips are possible. The integument of the oral cavity turns red. If the cause of stomatitis in children, adults is the reproduction of fungal colonies, then plaque is observed in the tongue.
It is possible to accompany the ulcerative process with inflamed foci of the mucosa, organs of the reproductive system, and eyes. In this situation, it is important to consult a doctor in a timely manner - perhaps the manifestations indicate Behcet’s disease, a serious autoimmune pathology that causes significant damage to small and medium blood vessels, which causes inflamed and ulcerated foci.
Possible ulcerative process, accompanied by abdominal pain, impaired stool. In this situation, they suggest Crohn's disease - a chronic health disorder, expressed in inflammatory processes in the intestinal tract.
Stomatitis is possible against the background of fever, conjunctivitis, weakness. This may indicate Stevens-Johnson disease, if blisters form on the patient's skin and mucous membranes, joints hurt. The term is used to denote the allergic response of the body, often provoked by drugs or infectious agents.
Stages and Features
The nature of the course of the process, the methods of its treatment, and the causes of stomatitis are closely related. The photo below shows the preparation "Metrogil Denta", which helps in most cases, if stomatitis proceeds in an uncomplicated form. The best results are shown by the treatment begun when the disease is just developing. The heavier and more neglected the form, the more difficult it is to defeat it.
At the initial stage, the affected areas of the mucosa redden, dry out, begin to shine. The next step is the formation of plaque, there are "zadi". Plaque can spread to the entire surface of the tongue and the sky, cheeks, lips. Visually, plaque is similar to cottage cheese. You can try to remove it, but then these areas quickly turn into ulcers or open wounds, bleed. As you progress, attempts to clean off the raid yourself are accompanied by more and more discomfort.
Forms and Types
The easiest option is catarrhal stomatitis, which expresses the body’s allergic response to some harmful factor. The patient notes that in the mouth itches, a certain area burns. The pain is felt, especially severe when eating, it dries in the mouth, and the tastes of the products can be perceived incorrectly. Every third patient is forced to treat an isolated form, but the predominant percentage is faced with additional lesions of internal systems and organs. On examination, the doctor examines the patient's oral cavity, localizes areas of redness, swelling. As a rule, minor hemorrhages are detected. The patient's condition is generally satisfactory.
Pain in the oral cavity, especially severe during a meal and during a conversation, may indicate an erosive-ulcerative form of the disease. In this case, the mucous membrane reddens, swells, bubbles form near the gums, tongue, lips. Inside the blisters are filled with a clear liquid. As they open, ulcers, erosions are formed, covered with a specific coating of fibrin. Single erosions that appeared nearby from each other can merge, lesions become large-scale. Gum papillae redden and swell, bleed at minimal load. Less saliva is produced, throat perspiration, discomfort, appetite disappears, the patient feels weak, the temperature rises - but not higher than 38 degrees. Lymph nodes under the jaw underneath increase and respond with pain on palpation. The severity of the course depends on chronic infection, the presence of pathological changes in the oral mucosa, their scale.
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Aphthous stomatitis begins with general manifestations - weakness, pallor, a tendency to be irritated by the little things. The patient's temperature rises, the lymph nodes become larger in size, and appetite disappears. Gradually, the oral mucosa reddens and swells, the stronger the manifestations, the higher the temperature. Blisters filled with fluid form. Soon, the formations open, leaving behind erosion. The lips crack, the skin on them is very dry, crusts form, salivation is activated.
Allergic stomatitis is a little less common in practice. In itself, it is not considered a disease, but only a symptom indicating a systemic reaction of the body. Treatment of stomatitis is to identify the allergen and eliminate it from the patient's life. Additionally, measures are being taken to stop negative manifestations. Allergic stomatitis expresses itself as reddened mucosa, swelling and vesicles, spots on the damaged area. Minor hemorrhages are possible.
Finally, the last common type of stomatitis is fungal. It is provoked by microorganisms of the Candida genus, therefore, the doctor may indicate candidiasis in the patient’s map. The disease is more common in children, since saliva does not have specific substances that inhibit the vital activity of this fungus. The body of a healthy adult contains substances by which the reproduction of colonies is strictly controlled.
How to fight?
To determine the presence of stomatitis, you need to see a doctor. The doctor will evaluate the information in the patient's card, examine the oral cavity, on the basis of which he will formulate a conclusion. There are no such tests that would clarify stomatitis. For diagnosis, it is considered sufficient to detect visible ulcers on the oral mucosa. The doctor evaluates how they are located, what features they have, how often regular outbreaks appear, which allows us to conclude on the reasons in a particular case.
Stomatitis is diagnosed if organic tissues look healthy around the ulcers, but there are no systemic effects that indicate another disease. In some cases, a scraping is prescribed to establish the characteristics of the pathological microflora that accompanies the ulcerative process.
Based on the characteristics of the case, the doctor prescribes a treatment program. Combine local oral disinfectants, a general therapeutic course and a nutrition program. The appointment of hormonal or antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory or anti-allergic drugs is possible.
With inflammation on the mucous membrane, it is necessary to reduce the use of aggressive food. Completely refuse coffee and chocolate, avoid spicy dishes and coarse, hot and sweet. You can not eat a predominant part of the varieties of meat. The diet should be dominated by mashed vegetables and fruits, soups. It is important to provide yourself with the necessary amount of vitamins, as this will support the immune system and give the body strength to heal ulcers.
Stomatitis is included in the class of diseases treated by the dentist. It is to this doctor that you need to go if manifestations of pathology are noticed. The doctor will be responsible for choosing the course of treatment, regardless of what particular problems provoked the formation of ulcers.
Forecast and Prevention
In most cases, the prognosis is favorable. The timing of recovery, the severity of the disease, depends on its shape and type, individual characteristics of the patient's body. The best options for those who started the fight against the disease in time - recovery will be quick and complete. If you start a pathological condition, there is a risk of the transition of the form into a chronicle, in the future you will regularly have to face relapses. In addition, chronic stomatitis can be the cause of periodontal disease, periodontitis. Scars may form on the gums, and part of the tooth root will be exposed.
To prevent stomatitis, you need to be extremely attentive to hygiene procedures, start treatment of infectious and other diseases on time, and also prevent relapse of chronic health disorders. It must be remembered that stomatitis can provoke impaired performance of the heart, blood vessels, stomach and intestines, therefore, diseases of these organs should be especially careful.
If you plan to install prostheses, you will have to completely abandon bad habits, otherwise complications can not be avoided. Before the procedure, you should take a course of vitamins or take other measures to strengthen immunity, following the recommendations of your doctor.
Some nuances
Although most often the cause of stomatitis is an insufficiently careful and thorough attitude to hygiene procedures, there is a risk of ulcerative processes for those who brush their teeth very carefully. The fact is that stomatitis develops against the background of caries, tartar, plaque. All these problems of dental health lead to the multiplication of pathological microflora, which is not possible to eradicate only by brushing. To reduce the risk of stomatitis, you should regularly visit the dentist, check your teeth for caries and treat any deficiencies found in a timely manner, as well as go through the procedure of cleaning your teeth from stone, plaque.
Infectious stomatitis can develop in a very severe form, accompanied by necrosis. This allows you to diagnose Vincent's stomatitis, popularly known as the "trench mouth". There is a risk of such a disease if a person is simultaneously infected with Vincent’s spirochete and fusiform wand. Both pathological microorganisms can live on the surface of a healthy person’s mucosa, and if the immune system is impaired, the reproduction of colonies begins, leading to serious consequences, major ulcers and erosion, provoking tissue necrosis.