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Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
FAQs
This article discusses gingivostomatitis symptoms, causes, and treatment.
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Gingivostomatitis Symptoms
When a person develops gingivostomatitis, they can develop symptoms on the tongue, lips, inside of the mouth, and gums. That said, the majority of children that have the condition will not present with any symptoms.
When symptoms of the infection do arise, they include:
Health Complications of GingivostomatitisTypically, the symptoms of gingivostomatitis range from mild to severe. However, the infection can cause serious effects, such asdehydrationand swelling of brain tissue.
Health Complications of Gingivostomatitis
Typically, the symptoms of gingivostomatitis range from mild to severe. However, the infection can cause serious effects, such asdehydrationand swelling of brain tissue.
What You Need to Know About Oral Hygiene
HSV-1 is the most common cause and accounts for roughly 90% of all cases.
Gingivostomatitis and AdultsAlthough the infection is more common in children, adults can develop it if they contract a virus that leads to it. In some instances, the herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV-2) (the viral infection associated withgenital herpes) can lead to the infection in some adults.
Gingivostomatitis and Adults
Although the infection is more common in children, adults can develop it if they contract a virus that leads to it. In some instances, the herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV-2) (the viral infection associated withgenital herpes) can lead to the infection in some adults.
Recurrent Mouth Ulcers and Canker Sores in Children
To diagnose gingivostomatitis, healthcare providers will conduct an oral exam to determine if there are ulcers, blisters, swelling, or bleeding in the mouth. This physical exam is typically enough to reach a diagnosis.
However, since the ulcers that develop are hard to distinguish from those that occur with other types of infections, a small tissue sample may be taken from one of the sores. The tissue sample will be examined in a lab culture to see what type of infection is causing it.
In some cases, treating gingivostomatitis isn’t necessary because the condition can resolve on its own in a few weeks.
Viral infections often need to run their course, and gingivostomatitis is no different. This is why treatment is often geared toward making the symptoms more bearable while the infection clears up.
Some ways a person can cope with symptoms include:
Does Gingivostomatitis Cause Permanent Damage?The condition isn’t likely to leave permanent damage to the inside of the mouth. That said, in rare cases, people may have to have severely affected tissue within the mouth removed.
Does Gingivostomatitis Cause Permanent Damage?
The condition isn’t likely to leave permanent damage to the inside of the mouth. That said, in rare cases, people may have to have severely affected tissue within the mouth removed.
Make Your Own Salt Water Mouth Rinse
Summary
While most common in children, the infection can occur at any age. Diagnosing and treating the infection is fairly simple, as healthcare providers typically only need to examine the mouth to make a diagnosis. They will recommend at-home remedies such as salt rinses and pain relievers while the infection clears on its own.
A Word From Verywell
Experiencing gingivostomatitis, or watching your child deal with the infection, can be difficult to cope with. Because of how painful the sores can be, drinking or eating can be difficult. Fortunately, the infection usually resolves on its own within three weeks. If you find yourself with severe ulcers or your child won’t eat or drink anything, contact your healthcare provider for possible treatment options to speed up recovery.
Frequently Asked QuestionsWhile people often associate the herpes virus with sexually transmitted infections, gingivostomatitis is typically not passed through sexual contact. It can be passed through saliva that makes its way onto other objects, such as toys, cups, utensils, or straws.The sores and blisters that develop because of a gingivostomatitis infection are small. They can develop anywhere inside the mouth as well as on the lips. After a while, the blisters pop open, causing a person to experience raw gums, as well as bleeding and pain in the mouth.Many types of foods can irritate the sores in the mouth, so if you have this type of infection, you should stick to bland foods, such as frozen ice pops, applesauce, or oatmeal. Any acidic, salty, or crunchy foods can irritate the mouth and should be avoided.
Frequently Asked Questions
While people often associate the herpes virus with sexually transmitted infections, gingivostomatitis is typically not passed through sexual contact. It can be passed through saliva that makes its way onto other objects, such as toys, cups, utensils, or straws.
The sores and blisters that develop because of a gingivostomatitis infection are small. They can develop anywhere inside the mouth as well as on the lips. After a while, the blisters pop open, causing a person to experience raw gums, as well as bleeding and pain in the mouth.
Many types of foods can irritate the sores in the mouth, so if you have this type of infection, you should stick to bland foods, such as frozen ice pops, applesauce, or oatmeal. Any acidic, salty, or crunchy foods can irritate the mouth and should be avoided.
4 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Goldman RD.Acyclovir for herpetic gingivostomatitis in children.Can Fam Physician.2016;62(5):403-404.MedlinePlus.Gingivostomatitis.Huang CW, Hsieh CH, Lin MR, Huang YC.Clinical features of gingivostomatitis due to primary infection of herpes simplex virus in children.BMC Infect Dis.2020;20(1):782. doi:10.1186/s12879-020-05509-2George AK, Anil S.Acute herpetic gingivostomatitis associated with herpes simplex virus 2: report of a case.J Int Oral Health.2014;6(3):99-102.
4 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Goldman RD.Acyclovir for herpetic gingivostomatitis in children.Can Fam Physician.2016;62(5):403-404.MedlinePlus.Gingivostomatitis.Huang CW, Hsieh CH, Lin MR, Huang YC.Clinical features of gingivostomatitis due to primary infection of herpes simplex virus in children.BMC Infect Dis.2020;20(1):782. doi:10.1186/s12879-020-05509-2George AK, Anil S.Acute herpetic gingivostomatitis associated with herpes simplex virus 2: report of a case.J Int Oral Health.2014;6(3):99-102.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Goldman RD.Acyclovir for herpetic gingivostomatitis in children.Can Fam Physician.2016;62(5):403-404.MedlinePlus.Gingivostomatitis.Huang CW, Hsieh CH, Lin MR, Huang YC.Clinical features of gingivostomatitis due to primary infection of herpes simplex virus in children.BMC Infect Dis.2020;20(1):782. doi:10.1186/s12879-020-05509-2George AK, Anil S.Acute herpetic gingivostomatitis associated with herpes simplex virus 2: report of a case.J Int Oral Health.2014;6(3):99-102.
Goldman RD.Acyclovir for herpetic gingivostomatitis in children.Can Fam Physician.2016;62(5):403-404.
MedlinePlus.Gingivostomatitis.
Huang CW, Hsieh CH, Lin MR, Huang YC.Clinical features of gingivostomatitis due to primary infection of herpes simplex virus in children.BMC Infect Dis.2020;20(1):782. doi:10.1186/s12879-020-05509-2
George AK, Anil S.Acute herpetic gingivostomatitis associated with herpes simplex virus 2: report of a case.J Int Oral Health.2014;6(3):99-102.
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