Types of stomatitis
Aphthous stomatitis (recurrent canker sores)
Round or oval ulcers with a whitish base and a red halo, usually on the inner cheek, lip or tongue. They are painful, not contagious, and typically heal within one to two weeks. Triggers include stress, minor injury, hormonal changes, certain foods and deficiencies of iron, folate or vitamin B12.
Herpetic gingivostomatitis (stomatitis aphthosa)
Stomatitis aphthosa — also called herpetic gingivostomatitis — is the first infection with herpes simplex virus type 1. It mostly affects toddlers between one and three years of age, but adults who were never exposed in childhood can get it too, often with a more severe course.
It presents with high fever, an intensely red and swollen gum line that bleeds easily, numerous blisters and erosions throughout the mouth, heavy drooling, marked bad breath and swollen neck lymph nodes. It lasts roughly seven to fourteen days and heals without scarring. The virus then stays in the body for life and may later reappear as cold sores.
Denture stomatitis
A sharply outlined red area on the mucosa beneath a removable denture, usually on the palate. It is frequently painless, which is why it often goes unnoticed for months. The cause is almost always a combination of inadequate denture hygiene, Candida albicans overgrowth, wearing the denture overnight and a poor fit.
Treatment means thorough cleaning, leaving the denture out at night, antifungal therapy and relining or remaking the prosthesis. For a lasting solution, many patients consider implant-supported restorations: a dental implant carries the load through the jawbone rather than the mucosa, which takes the pressure off the tissue that keeps getting inflamed.
Oral candidiasis (thrush)
Creamy white plaques on reddened mucosa that can be wiped away, often with burning and taste disturbance. Favored by antibiotics, inhaled corticosteroids, diabetes, dry mouth, dentures and a weakened immune system.
Oral mucositis
Widespread, often severe inflammation and ulceration of the mucosa caused by chemotherapy or radiation to the head and neck. Because these therapies target rapidly dividing cells, and the oral lining renews faster than almost any other tissue, it is hit hard. Mucositis requires a dedicated supportive care protocol.
Contact and irritant stomatitis
A reaction to a specific trigger: a toothpaste ingredient such as sodium lauryl sulfate, a flavoring agent, a restorative material, a sharp filling edge, an orthodontic bracket, very hot food or tobacco. The inflammation typically stays confined to the area of contact.
