In medical practice, there are a very large number of diseases of the oral cavity. One of them is purulent stomatitis. Such a pathology is characterized by the occurrence of inflammatory processes and ulcers in the oral cavity. The reasons for the development of this disease are many. Most often it occurs in children, however, adults, especially the elderly, can suffer from this ailment. In this article, we will consider the causes of the development of purulent stomatitis, as well as its symptoms, preventive measures and treatment methods. Carefully read the information provided to protect yourself and your child as much as possible.
The main causes of the development of pathology
Usually in children, purulent stomatitis, a photo of the manifestations of which you can see in this article, develops due to the multiplication of pyogenic bacteria in the oral cavity. These are staphylococci, streptococci, chlamydia, protea. Note that infections can enter the body in many ways. For example, when eating unwashed foods, when personal hygiene is not observed, and also in close contact with an already infected person (through kisses).
Most often, the disease occurs due to a weak immune system. If our body is not able to deal with microbes that penetrate into it, they settle in the organs and begin their pathological activity. The oral cavity is no exception. Saliva contains a large amount of antibacterial substances, but with a poor immune system, their amount is significantly reduced.
Acute purulent stomatitis in children and adults can occur due to the presence of serious diseases of the respiratory tract, as well as teeth. Even caries can cause serious complications. Infectious pathologies such as tonsillitis, flu, and many chronic diseases can contribute to the development of serious diseases of the oral cavity.
Do not forget that bacteria can enter the oral cavity and from the external environment. They settle in microcracks and wounds that were caused by various injuries. For example, bites, burns, tooth extraction, wearing low-quality dentures.
Optimal conditions for the development of pathology
For purulent stomatitis to begin to progress, optimal conditions must be created for the microorganisms that cause it. Pay attention to the main factors that can lead to stomatitis:
- Improper nutrition. The use of products with a low content of vitamins and minerals (especially iron, zinc, B vitamins) contributes to the active life of pathogenic microorganisms in the oral cavity. In addition, the regular use of low-quality and non-natural products in food significantly reduces the level of the body's defenses, which affects the strength of the immune system.
- Getting injuries of the oral mucosa. They can be obtained in a variety of ways, from a careless cut with a bone to a tooth extraction in a dental office. If infection gets into the wounds, this can lead to purulent stomatitis. The photos in the article demonstrate what this ailment looks like.
- The disease can also occur due to changes in the hormonal state of the body. This is especially true for adolescents, as well as women who have had menopause.
- Purulent stomatitis in adults can occur if a person abuses alcohol-containing drinks and smoking, takes some types of medications that reduce salivation, or undergo chemotherapy.
- Also, purulent stomatitis is caused by diabetes mellitus, anemia and the immunodeficiency virus.
- Sometimes the disease can occur due to a hereditary predisposition.
- Chemotherapy is also a predisposing factor.
- Dehydration due to diarrhea and / or vomiting is another condition contributing to the development of the disease.
Main varieties
Purulent stomatitis in children and adults has several classifications. Purulent formations arise due to the presence of inflammatory processes in the oral cavity. Scientists distinguish several varieties of this pathology. They differ in characteristic signs and causes. So, we will consider what types of stomatitis exist:
Traumatic. This is a disease resulting from injury. This type of pathology is characterized by the fact that it arises due to harmful microorganisms that settle in damaged areas of the oral cavity.
Bacterial. In this case, it is the ingestion of bacteria into the body that leads to its occurrence. Quite often, it is this form of the disease that occurs in patients who suffer from serious dental problems.
Aphthous. This form of the disease occurs if inflammation is ignored for a long time. As you know, stomatitis is accompanied by the appearance of ulcers in the oral cavity. So, over time, they begin to acquire a different shade, as they become covered with a yellow coating. This stage of the disease is neglected and can lead to a significant increase in body temperature. At the same time, the patient complains of a general deterioration in his state of health.
Vegetative. With this form, bubbles begin to appear in the oral cavity, which eventually transform into erosion. Such damage leaves scars.
In this case, various parts of the oral cavity can become inflamed. Someone has a tongue or gum, while someone has a palate or lips. In severe cases, several areas are damaged at once.
Purulent stomatitis: symptoms in children and adults
Recognizing this disease is not difficult. At the very first stage of its development, some parts of the oral cavity become inflamed. At the same time, they slightly swell and blush. Soon, a sore with a white coating appears in this place, surrounded by a red, inflamed rim. These ulcerations are incredibly painful. Sometimes it’s hard for a patient to not only eat, but also to talk. Very often, it is at this stage that the patient also has a dry mouth.
It is strongly recommended that you do not delay the treatment, as sores very quickly begin to increase in size. White plaque spreads quite quickly. It can completely cover not only the oral cavity, but also go to the outer surface of the lips. Often, especially in children, against the background of this pathology, jams occur.
At the same time, small sores look like vesicles, inside of which pus accumulates. They can be located in the oral cavity one at a time, or in groups. Over time, the entire oral cavity will be strewn with such formations.
Treatment of purulent stomatitis in children should be started immediately. Clear signs of such a pathology are red gums and tongue, which look completely dry.
In addition, there are also common signs that indicate the occurrence of pathological processes in the body. Symptoms of acute purulent stomatitis in children are usually manifested:
- nausea, weakness and malaise, as well as insomnia;
- Some patients lose their appetite and suffer from constipation and pain in the oral cavity;
- since the oral cavity is very dry, the patient will swallow saliva very often in order to somehow moisturize it.
If purulent formations are already present in the oral cavity, then the patient will have an extremely bad breath. At the same time, it is impossible to get rid of it. Even the strongest toothpastes and rinses will not help.
How to treat purulent stomatitis
It is very important to consult a dentist already at the first sign of pathology. As soon as you notice that some areas in the mouth began to become inflamed, as well as become covered with a white unpleasant plaque, immediately make an appointment with a doctor. However, most often patients of a medical institution are only those people who have already started the disease, who already have strong painful sensations that interfere with normal life.
What should include the treatment of purulent stomatitis in children:
- elimination of the pathogenic organisms that caused this disease;
- it is necessary to relieve pain, as well as restore damaged parts in the mouth;
- You also need to take measures that will help to ensure that there are no complications and repeated cases of infection.
Drug treatment
Many patients wonder how to treat purulent stomatitis. Doctors recommend starting with the use of pain medications, as pathology often leads to incredibly strong pain. For this, doctors usually recommend that their patients use medicines such as Ketanov and Faringosept. Various sprays and gels for the oral cavity are also excellently anesthetized. However, before using them, it is very important to clean it and remove the accumulated purulent discharge.
However, medication is not just about pain relief. In addition, it is very important to eliminate the bacteria themselves that caused this disease. In this case, you can not do without antibiotics. Most often, such medications are prescribed in the form of tablets intended for oral use. However, if the situation is severely neglected, the doctor may prescribe a medication for intravenous administration.
Also, do not forget that the course of the disease is accompanied by severe inflammatory processes, so it is very important to choose medications that can relieve inflammation.
Of course, you need to take care of the immune system so that a relapse does not occur. For this, doctors recommend taking a complex of vitamins and minerals, as well as special immunomodulators that can significantly increase the level of the body's defenses.
General recommendations
Treatment of purulent stomatitis in adults can sometimes be quite protracted. To speed up this process, you must unconditionally comply with all the recommendations given by your doctor.
Do not forget that you need to rinse your mouth with antiseptic solutions every time after eating.
You also need to pay special attention to your nutrition. You can take light food in small portions, but five or six times a day. In this case, the food should be such that it will not irritate the mucous membrane of the oral cavity. Eliminate the use of too hot and cold dishes, as well as solid foods that need to be chewed for a long time and alcohol-containing drinks.
Alternative methods of treatment
According to doctors, it is almost impossible to get rid of this pathology using only traditional medicine. However, the treatment of purulent stomatitis must be approached comprehensively, so the use of alternative methods will only accelerate this process.
Very good results rinse with baking soda. To do this, take one teaspoon of this product and add it to a glass of water at room temperature. Stir well. Rinse every time after eating, as well as before bedtime.
Grated raw potato has a good healing effect. Apply it to damaged areas of the oral cavity. Chewing aloe leaves has a similar effect.
Various herbal infusions, for example, from chamomile and calendula, are well removed by inflammatory processes. Take two tablespoons of dried plants and pour them with a glass of boiling water. After that, let it brew for about half an hour and treat the prepared oral cavity several times a day.
An excellent folk way to treat purulent and any other stomatitis is to use propolis tincture. It is sold at any pharmacy. The treatment algorithm is simple: you need to apply hydrogen peroxide to the affected areas of the oral cavity, gently remove pus, dry these places (for example, with a hairdryer), and use a cotton swab to apply propolis tincture on them. You can do this twice. The sore will be covered with a protective film, which immediately will slightly reduce the pain. Such treatment should be performed for several days until the ulcer heals completely.
Are complications possible?
Purulent stomatitis is a rather dangerous disease that can harm the whole body. It is strongly not recommended to self-medicate or to leave the problem unattended. Be sure to consult your dentist, otherwise the risk of serious complications is extremely high.
Purulent stomatitis is accompanied by the appearance of small sores filled with pus. So, these sores can burst, and the bacteria that are in them will begin to spread throughout the body, infecting other organs.
A disease can lead to consequences such as:
- thrush of the genitals in the fair sex;
- the occurrence of various diseases of the oral cavity, including tooth loss;
- if the disease passes to the tonsils, then the voice of the patients changes significantly. Hoarseness appears in him;
- Sometimes the pathology goes to the respiratory system, and causes their serious illness.
However, in extreme cases, purulent stomatitis can lead to sepsis. This complication occurs if bacteria and toxic substances begin to spread by blood throughout the body. Please note that this condition is very dangerous, and can even lead to death.
Preventative measures
By following simple methods of prevention, you can very easily protect yourself from stomatitis. The main thing is to be guided by them daily. Consider the most basic recommendations:
- Wash your hands thoroughly every time before eating, and also after coming home;
- thoroughly clean food before eating it;
- strengthen your immune system. Eat right, exercise and take vitamin and mineral complexes;
- Try to reduce the consumption of alcohol-containing drinks and tobacco products.
Carefully monitor your health, regularly contact your dentist for a preventive examination of your teeth and oral cavity, treat caries, periodontal disease and other diseases of the oral cavity on time, brush your teeth daily in the morning and evening, follow all the doctor’s recommendations if you are ill with tonsillitis, sinusitis, pharyngitis and other infectious diseases so that they do not give complications. If you follow these rules, you will never know what purulent stomatitis is.