Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCausesDiagnosisTreatmentWhen to See a Provider
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
When to See a Provider
This article discusses what stomatitis is, why it occurs, and how it can be treated.
Mohd Akhir / EyeEm / Getty Images
Stomatitis Symptoms
The severity of symptoms in stomatitis varies widely and may be related to the underlying cause of stomatitis.
For some people, stomatitis may just be annoying or mildly bothersome. For others, it may be quite painful and make it difficult to eat and drink normally.
These are some common symptoms of stomatitis:
Ulcers and Sores
In cases when stomatitis causes acanker sore, you may notice a lesion with a red base and yellow top, though this can vary.
Canker sores can range in severity from annoying to extremely painful, and typically last one to two weeks before they heal. They also vary in size, but the majority of canker sores are quite small.
When stomatitis causes acold sore, you may first notice an area that feels itchy or tingly. This usually progresses to a fluid-filled sore which will eventually burst and ooze. After that, a yellow crust will form on top of the sore which will then scab and heal.
Cold sores last on average seven to 10 days before they heal, usually without treatment, and are extremely contagious. People who get cold sores often get them in the exact same place repeatedly.
Cold Sores vs. Canker Sores
Stomatitis Causes
There are many potential causes of stomatitis including:
Many cases of stomatitis, especially canker sores or cold sores, can be diagnosed through a physical exam and a medical history including a history of your symptoms and any medications you are taking.
In other cases, blood work orallergy testingmay be necessary. In more complicated cases your healthcare provider may take a biopsy or a skin scraping of the lesion for testing to determine exactly what is causing your stomatitis.
Is stomatitis bacterial or viral?While either a viral or bacterial infection can cause stomatitis, there are other possibilities such as allergies or nutritional deficiencies.
Is stomatitis bacterial or viral?
While either a viral or bacterial infection can cause stomatitis, there are other possibilities such as allergies or nutritional deficiencies.
Stomatitis Treatment
Some cases of stomatitis—such as a mild case of canker sores—require no treatment. Simple canker sores will usually heal on their own within one to two weeks. If a sore becomes painful, you can use an over-the-counter (OTC) oral care product that numbs the affected area to reduce pain. Also, home remedies like a saltwater solution can speed up healing.
Medication
Although each case is different, your healthcare provider may recommend some of the following treatments to ease pain or aid in healing stomatitis:
Stomatitis Medication CautionsAlways let your healthcare provider know if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, have any allergies, take supplements or other medications, or if you have any immune compromising condition when a prescription medication is recommended.Do not use OTC products that contain ingredients you may be allergic to. Some products may contain inactive ingredients which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist about any concerns.
Stomatitis Medication Cautions
Always let your healthcare provider know if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, have any allergies, take supplements or other medications, or if you have any immune compromising condition when a prescription medication is recommended.Do not use OTC products that contain ingredients you may be allergic to. Some products may contain inactive ingredients which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist about any concerns.
Always let your healthcare provider know if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, have any allergies, take supplements or other medications, or if you have any immune compromising condition when a prescription medication is recommended.
Do not use OTC products that contain ingredients you may be allergic to. Some products may contain inactive ingredients which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist about any concerns.
Dietary Changes
In addition to medication, drinking more fluids (like water and green tea) will help keep your mucous membranes well-hydrated for faster healing. Avoiding spicy, acidic, or very hot foods will prevent further irritation and pain.
Good Oral and Dental Hygiene
Good oral hygiene is important while healing from stomatitis. Brush at least twice a day using a soft toothbrush or your finger, if your mouth is too sore for bristles.
To ease stomatitis pain, you can try using a simple salt water rinse. Mix 1 teaspoon baking soda and ½ teaspoon salt with a quart of water; rinse several times per day, but don’t swallow the mix. Alcohol-based mouthwashes should be avoided, but mouth rinses containing hydrogen peroxide (e.g., Peroxyl) help heal oral sores.
Chronicatrophic candidiasis(or denture stomatitis) affects between 17% and 75% of denture wearers.Those with full dentures are more likely to develop stomatitis than partial denture wearers. It’s important to take proper care of dentures to avoid this condition.
Tips for Eating With New Dentures
Wax-based products (orthodontic wax) can be applied to braces or dental appliances that rub or irritate gums to create a buffer for your gums. This will help to prevent and heal stomatitis.
When to See a Healthcare Provider
You should see a healthcare provider if you have unexplained symptoms of stomatitis or symptoms that last longer than a week or two. Also, seek medical attention if you are having trouble eating and drinking and could be in danger of dehydration.
Summary
Stomatitis has many potential causes including injury, allergies, bacterial infection, and nutritional deficiencies. The condition comes with varying symptoms—most notably ulcers, sores, or blisters on lips or inside the mouth. Most cases can be diagnosed with a physical exam and a review of your medical history.
Treatment options include OTC and prescription medications in either pill or topical cream/gel form. By paying attention to oral and dental hygiene and making a few dietary changes, you can speed healing and avoid unnecessary pain. See your doctor if you have stomatitis symptoms for more than a couple of weeks, have extreme pain, or run a high fever.
Herpes
10 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.Edgar NR, Saleh D, Miller RA.Recurrent Aphthous Stomatitis: A Review.J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2017;10(3):26-36.Plewa MC, Chatterjee K.Aphthous Stomatitis. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2019 Jan-.Chi CC, Wang SH, Delamere FM, Wojnarowska F, Peters MC, Kanjirath PP.Interventions for prevention of herpes simplex labialis (cold sores on the lips). Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2015;(8):CD010095. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD010095.pub2American Academy of Family Physicians.Canker Sores.B. Hennessy.Stomatitis (Oral Mucositis). Merck Manual Professional Version.Chiang CP, Yu-Fong Chang J, Wang YP, Wu YH, Wu YC, Sun A.Recurrent aphthous stomatitis - Etiology, serum autoantibodies, anemia, hematinic deficiencies, and management.J Formos Med Assoc. 2019;118(9):1279-1289. doi:10.1016/j.jfma.2018.10.023Manfredini M, Guida S, Giovani M, et al.Recurrent Aphthous Stomatitis: Treatment and Management.Dermatol Pract Concept. 2021;11(4):e2021099. Published 2021 Sep 1. doi:10.5826/dpc.1104a99Cizenski JD, Michel P, Watson IT, et al.Spectrum of orocutaneous disease associations: Immune-mediated conditions.J Am Acad Dermatol. 2017;77(5):795-806. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2017.02.019Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center.Aphthous Stomatitis (Canker Sores).Abuhajar E, Ali K, Zulfiqar G, et al.Management of Chronic Atrophic Candidiasis (Denture Stomatitis)-A Narrative Review.Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2023;20(4):3029. Published 2023 Feb 9. doi:10.3390/ijerph20043029
10 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.Edgar NR, Saleh D, Miller RA.Recurrent Aphthous Stomatitis: A Review.J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2017;10(3):26-36.Plewa MC, Chatterjee K.Aphthous Stomatitis. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2019 Jan-.Chi CC, Wang SH, Delamere FM, Wojnarowska F, Peters MC, Kanjirath PP.Interventions for prevention of herpes simplex labialis (cold sores on the lips). Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2015;(8):CD010095. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD010095.pub2American Academy of Family Physicians.Canker Sores.B. Hennessy.Stomatitis (Oral Mucositis). Merck Manual Professional Version.Chiang CP, Yu-Fong Chang J, Wang YP, Wu YH, Wu YC, Sun A.Recurrent aphthous stomatitis - Etiology, serum autoantibodies, anemia, hematinic deficiencies, and management.J Formos Med Assoc. 2019;118(9):1279-1289. doi:10.1016/j.jfma.2018.10.023Manfredini M, Guida S, Giovani M, et al.Recurrent Aphthous Stomatitis: Treatment and Management.Dermatol Pract Concept. 2021;11(4):e2021099. Published 2021 Sep 1. doi:10.5826/dpc.1104a99Cizenski JD, Michel P, Watson IT, et al.Spectrum of orocutaneous disease associations: Immune-mediated conditions.J Am Acad Dermatol. 2017;77(5):795-806. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2017.02.019Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center.Aphthous Stomatitis (Canker Sores).Abuhajar E, Ali K, Zulfiqar G, et al.Management of Chronic Atrophic Candidiasis (Denture Stomatitis)-A Narrative Review.Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2023;20(4):3029. Published 2023 Feb 9. doi:10.3390/ijerph20043029
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.
Edgar NR, Saleh D, Miller RA.Recurrent Aphthous Stomatitis: A Review.J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2017;10(3):26-36.Plewa MC, Chatterjee K.Aphthous Stomatitis. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2019 Jan-.Chi CC, Wang SH, Delamere FM, Wojnarowska F, Peters MC, Kanjirath PP.Interventions for prevention of herpes simplex labialis (cold sores on the lips). Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2015;(8):CD010095. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD010095.pub2American Academy of Family Physicians.Canker Sores.B. Hennessy.Stomatitis (Oral Mucositis). Merck Manual Professional Version.Chiang CP, Yu-Fong Chang J, Wang YP, Wu YH, Wu YC, Sun A.Recurrent aphthous stomatitis - Etiology, serum autoantibodies, anemia, hematinic deficiencies, and management.J Formos Med Assoc. 2019;118(9):1279-1289. doi:10.1016/j.jfma.2018.10.023Manfredini M, Guida S, Giovani M, et al.Recurrent Aphthous Stomatitis: Treatment and Management.Dermatol Pract Concept. 2021;11(4):e2021099. Published 2021 Sep 1. doi:10.5826/dpc.1104a99Cizenski JD, Michel P, Watson IT, et al.Spectrum of orocutaneous disease associations: Immune-mediated conditions.J Am Acad Dermatol. 2017;77(5):795-806. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2017.02.019Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center.Aphthous Stomatitis (Canker Sores).Abuhajar E, Ali K, Zulfiqar G, et al.Management of Chronic Atrophic Candidiasis (Denture Stomatitis)-A Narrative Review.Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2023;20(4):3029. Published 2023 Feb 9. doi:10.3390/ijerph20043029
Edgar NR, Saleh D, Miller RA.Recurrent Aphthous Stomatitis: A Review.J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2017;10(3):26-36.
Plewa MC, Chatterjee K.Aphthous Stomatitis. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2019 Jan-.
Chi CC, Wang SH, Delamere FM, Wojnarowska F, Peters MC, Kanjirath PP.Interventions for prevention of herpes simplex labialis (cold sores on the lips). Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2015;(8):CD010095. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD010095.pub2
American Academy of Family Physicians.Canker Sores.
B. Hennessy.Stomatitis (Oral Mucositis). Merck Manual Professional Version.
Chiang CP, Yu-Fong Chang J, Wang YP, Wu YH, Wu YC, Sun A.Recurrent aphthous stomatitis - Etiology, serum autoantibodies, anemia, hematinic deficiencies, and management.J Formos Med Assoc. 2019;118(9):1279-1289. doi:10.1016/j.jfma.2018.10.023
Manfredini M, Guida S, Giovani M, et al.Recurrent Aphthous Stomatitis: Treatment and Management.Dermatol Pract Concept. 2021;11(4):e2021099. Published 2021 Sep 1. doi:10.5826/dpc.1104a99
Cizenski JD, Michel P, Watson IT, et al.Spectrum of orocutaneous disease associations: Immune-mediated conditions.J Am Acad Dermatol. 2017;77(5):795-806. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2017.02.019
Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center.Aphthous Stomatitis (Canker Sores).
Abuhajar E, Ali K, Zulfiqar G, et al.Management of Chronic Atrophic Candidiasis (Denture Stomatitis)-A Narrative Review.Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2023;20(4):3029. Published 2023 Feb 9. doi:10.3390/ijerph20043029
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