Frequent aphthous stomatitis. Symptoms of aphthous stomatitis and its treatment. Causes and mechanism of development of aphthous stomatitis

From this article you will learn:

• how to treat aphthous stomatitis in children,
• symptoms and treatment of aphthous stomatitis in adults,
• list of effective drugs.

Aphthous stomatitis is a disease in which one or more rounded ulcerations appear on the oral mucosa, which are covered with a necrotic coating of a gray or yellowish tint. These sores (aphthae) are not associated with acute infections and are therefore not contagious.

According to statistics, up to 20% of the population suffers from this form of stomatitis. It most commonly affects young children and adults in their 20s and 30s. In people of more mature age, dependence was noted: the higher the age, the less likely it is to develop. Aphthous stomatitis has an ICD 10 code - K12.0.

Aphthous stomatitis in children: photo

Aphthous stomatitis: photos in adults

The most important thing in the treatment of stomatitis is to first correctly determine its form. Indeed, depending on the form: it can be either, or aphthous stomatitis - treatment for both adults and children will be completely different. Therefore, if you are not very sure of the diagnosis, it is best to familiarize yourself with the symptoms of both of its forms.

Aphthous stomatitis: symptoms

If you suspect that you have aphthous stomatitis, the symptoms are quite similar. A day or two before the onset of ulcers, patients usually notice a slight burning sensation in some areas of the oral mucosa. A little later, one or 2-3 clearly defined ulcers (aphthae) appear, covered with a necrotic coating of a gray or yellowish hue. The ulcers are rounded and usually less than 1 cm in diameter, and they are surrounded by an inflammatory red halo around the perimeter.

Ulcers of this size usually heal within 10 to 14 days without scarring. However, in 10-15% of patients, ulcers can be larger than 1 cm in diameter, and sometimes they can even reach 2-3 cm in diameter. The depth of ulcers of this size is usually greater than ulcers up to 1 cm in size (which may cause the edges of the ulcer to appear raised). The healing of such ulcers usually lasts up to 6 weeks, and most often with the formation of cicatricial constrictions.

Important : typical localization of ulcers is on the mucous membrane of the cheeks and the inner side of the lips, on the soft palate (Fig. 7-8), tonsils, as well as the lower and lateral surfaces of the tongue. Such localization is due to the fact that ulcers in aphthous stomatitis occur primarily on “non-keratinized” areas of the oral mucosa, i.e. where there is no keratinization of the mucosal epithelium.

Less commonly, ulcers can occur on keratinized mucosa (hard palate, dorsum of the tongue, tightly attached alveolar gingiva around the teeth) - this may be a signal of autoimmune disease or HIV infection. Unlike aphthous stomatitis, keratinized gums are affected precisely with herpetic stomatitis, which can also be a hallmark of these two main forms of stomatitis from each other.

Foci of aphthous stomatitis in the soft palate: photo

Causes of aphthous stomatitis -

The reasons for the development of aphthous stomatitis are not fully understood. However, the very mechanism of the appearance of ulcers on the mucous membrane is most often associated with the activation of the cellular immunity system - T-lymphocytes, neutrophils and mast cells. It is these cells of the immune system that begin to suddenly destroy the epithelium of the mucous membrane, leading to the appearance of ulcers. However, the humoral immune system (antibodies) can also be involved in this process.

Antibodies can begin to destroy their own oral mucosa, for example, with the so-called cross-sensitization. The fact is that such a pathogenic bacterium of the oral cavity as α-hemolytic streptococcus Streptococcus sangui can act as an antigen that provokes the production of antibodies by the immune system. And these antibodies cross-react with the oral mucosa, destroying it locally.

Local triggers -

• allergy or hypersensitivity to various components of hygiene products (especially often to sodium lauryl sulfate) *,
• food allergens,
• some pathogenic bacteria (hemolytic streptococcus),
• biting the mucous membrane of the lips and cheeks against the background of stress,
• trauma to the mucous membrane by the overhanging edge of the filling or during the injection of an anesthetic,
• excess nitrates in food and drinking water.

Important : a clinical study that revealed the effect of sodium lauryl sulfate present in many toothpastes on the development of aphthous stomatitis was published in the medical journal Oral Diseases (Jurge S, Kuffer R, Scully C, Porter SR. 2006).

Systemic diseases and conditions of the body -

• during menstruation in women,
• abrupt cessation of smoking
• with celiac disease, enteropathy, malabsorption,
• with hematological diseases,
• diseases of the immune system,
• with a lack of folic acid, vitamins B6 and B12,
• against the background of cyclic neutropenia, Behçet's syndrome, Reiter's syndrome, PFAPA syndrome (periodic fever, aphthous pharyngitis + cervical adenopathy), systemic lupus erythematosus, reactive arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease - especially with Crohn's disease, as well as against the background of HIV.

What is the diagnosis based on?

The diagnosis of aphthous stomatitis is made on the basis of a visual examination, and in most cases does not require any laboratory tests. Only in severe forms or persistently recurring (recurrent) aphthous stomatitis is it necessary to conduct a complete blood count, which may indicate the presence of neutropenia or iron deficiency anemia.

As we said above, enteropathy can be the cause in about 5% of cases, and it can be diagnosed by detecting antibodies to endomysium in the blood serum. Behçet's syndrome can be suspected if inflammation of the choroid (uveitis) occurs at the same time.

HIV testing is always required if stomatitis is recurrent or severe, and especially if ulcers occur not only in areas of mobile oral mucosa, but also in areas of keratinized mucosa (for example, on tightly attached alveolar gingiva near the teeth). , back of the tongue, hard palate).

Aphthous stomatitis in children: treatment

Aphthous stomatitis in adults, as well as aphthous stomatitis in children - the treatment is the same, and the treatment strategy described below is suitable for patients of any age. As for the drugs listed later in the article, some of them do have an age limit, which we will also indicate.

Due to the fact that it is usually impossible to clearly identify the specific cause of aphthous stomatitis in a particular patient, the treatment will be multifocal, i.e. drugs of several groups are used simultaneously. The choice of treatment strategy and drugs will depend on the following 3 factors:

1) on the severity of symptoms,
2) on the frequency of relapses,
3) from the identified predisposing factors.

Treatment at the first stage should be aimed at reducing pain and inflammation in the area of ​​ulcers, and at the second and third stages - at the speedy epithelialization of ulcers and preventing their occurrence in the future. To facilitate the choice of the best treatment option, all patients can be divided into 3 types (according to the criteria - the severity of the disease and the frequency of relapses).

• Type A –
  in patients of this type, aphthous stomatitis occurs no more than a few times during the year and is characterized by slight soreness. First of all, in such patients, local predisposing factors should be identified and eliminated (for example, overhanging edges of fillings or hygiene products with sodium lauryl sulfate). It is important to ask the patient about food preferences in order to assess the possible association between stomatitis flare-ups and certain foods.

  The patient is advised to avoid hard foods (eg, crackers, toast), all kinds of nuts, chocolate, eggs, acidic drinks, or foods such as fruit or citrus juices, tomatoes, pineapples, salty foods. Avoid spicy foods, any spices, including peppers and curry, as well as alcoholic and carbonated drinks. In type A patients, mainly local symptomatic therapy is used, which includes antiseptic rinses and gel applications for pain and inflammation.

• Type B –
  in such patients, aphthous stomatitis develops almost monthly, and the ulcers are so painful that they force the patient to change habits (for example, less brushing his teeth because of severe pain). It remains important to identify local and general predisposing factors and, if possible, eliminate them. It is very important to teach patients of this type to feel the first signs of the imminent appearance of ulcers - burning, itching or swelling of the mucous membrane, in order to provide early local treatment even before the formation of the ulcers themselves.

• Type C –
  in patients of this type, ulcers are very painful, appearing so often that while one lesion heals, the next ones appear almost immediately. This group also includes patients in whom local treatment in the oral cavity is completely ineffective, and improvement occurs only after the use of systemic therapy.

Local therapy: list of drugs

Below you will receive comprehensive information on how to treat aphthous stomatitis in children and adults. Note that topical oral therapy is basic and gives good results in Type A patients, somewhat worse in Type B patients.

1) Antiseptic rinses -

In young children (who cannot yet rinse their mouths) - this is best used in the form of a spray. In older children, the best option would be a 0.05% solution of chlorhexidine. The best option for adults is the Perio-Aid rinse containing two antiseptics at once: chlorhexidine 0.12% and cetylpyridine 0.05% (or a simpler option - again, the usual 0.05% chlorhexidine for 25 rubles).

As an alternative to traditional antiseptic rinses, you can use it in the form of a solution or spray. This drug contains a large amount of anti-inflammatory components (herbal extracts, thymol, allantoin, phenyl salicylate), but the antiseptic effect of the drug will be quite moderate. Another effective option would be triclosan rinses from Colgate.

How to apply -
rinses are carried out 2-3 times a day for 1 minute. They should be carried out immediately after oral hygiene. And after rinsing, you can apply an anti-inflammatory gel to the mucous membrane of the oral cavity (in places of ulceration).

2) Anti-inflammatory/pain relief gels -

The best option for adults and children is Cholisal based on the anti-inflammatory components of choline salicylate and cetalkonium chloride, which have a pronounced anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect. In addition to efficiency, a big plus of this drug is the complete absence of age restrictions.

To anesthetize ulcers in adults and children over 12 years old, you can use the drug Kamistad containing 2% lidocaine hydrochloride, chamomile extract and antiseptic benzalkonium chloride. And in young children - the drug "Kamistad Baby" based on the extract of chamomile flowers, the medicinal and analgesic component of polidocanol. But their effectiveness in aphthous stomatitis will certainly be lower than that of Kholisal.

Important : The best drug for treating aphthous stomatitis is the prescription drug Amlexanox (trade name Aphthasol). This drug is available as a paste for application to the surface of ulcers 4 times a day, and has anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic and immunomodulatory effects. Unfortunately, it is not sold in Russia, and it can only be bought with a prescription in Europe or the USA.

3) Occlusive agents -

These include products, for example, based on bismuth subsalicylate. Preparations of this series belong to gastroprotectors, and are usually prescribed for peptic ulcer of the stomach and duodenum. However, their local use in the oral cavity with aphthous stomatitis makes sense and can significantly reduce pain and speed up recovery.

The point of using these drugs is that when applied to the surface of ulcers, they form an insoluble protective film that protects the surface of the ulcer from exposure to irritants and reduces the local inflammatory process (site). Which preparations based on bismuth subsalicylate can be used - in the form of tablets for chewing, in the form of a gel / suspension. It is necessary to use these drugs only after the preliminary use of an antiseptic rinse and / or anti-inflammatory gel.

4) Local application of glucocorticoids -

If aphthous stomatitis develops against the background of diagnosed immune diseases, then treatment can be carried out using glucocorticoids. Also, treatment with glucocorticoids is indicated if the patient does not respond to treatment with traditional topical agents (see above). The purpose of their use is to eliminate severe pain and inflammation, which will allow the patient to eat normally, speak, and carry out normal oral hygiene. In addition, glucocorticoids shorten the healing time of ulcers.

Most often, triamcinolone acetonide, fluocinolone acetonide, or clobetasol propionate are used for this (the choice depends on the severity of the lesions). These three drugs can be used as gels when ulcerative lesions are localized, or rinse solutions can be prepared using ampouled solutions of these drugs for this, if the lesions are very numerous. Another option for topical application of glucocorticoids is a single local injection of triamcinolone solution under the base of each ulcer.

5) Epithelializing agents -

As we said above, at the first stage of treatment of aphthous stomatitis, it is very important to use antiseptic rinses, special gels for pain and inflammation, protective agents based on bismuth subsalicylate (as well as antihistamines inside). But when the acute symptoms have passed, it is very important to accelerate the epithelization of the surface of the ulcers. For these purposes, the drug Solcoseryl in the form of a gel can be used.

This gel not only accelerates the epithelialization of the surface of ulcers and erosions, but also has a sufficient analgesic effect. The application of the gel is possible 2-3 times a day. Read the instructions for use below. Once again, we draw your attention to the fact that this drug is not intended for use in the acute phase of ulceration, usually its use can be started from the 5th day of complex therapy.

6) Local application of the laser -

Clinical studies have found that the use of the 940 nm diode laser as well as the Nd:YAG laser provides immediate pain relief and faster healing, and is well tolerated by patients. Most patients note that ulcerative lesions after laser treatment heal much faster (about 4 days) - compared to 7-14 days after standard drug therapy.

In addition, patients noted that relapses of aphthous stomatitis after laser treatment occur much less frequently. Below you can see photos of aphthous stomatitis foci on the tongue and lip before and after their treatment with a 940-nm diode laser.

Treatment of aphthous stomatitis with a laser: before and after photos

Systemic pharmacological treatment -

Systemic therapy includes 3 types of drugs - antihistamines, glucocorticoids and immunomodulators. Antihistamines can be prescribed to absolutely all patients with aphthous stomatitis, the cause of which is not exactly established. As for the drugs of the other two groups, they are the second line of defense, after which there are essentially no other treatment options.

1. Antihistamines -

Due to the fact that in many cases the causes of aphthous stomatitis can be unidentified food allergens (or components of hygiene products, such as sodium lauryl sulfate) - it makes sense to start taking antihistamines, i.e. antiallergic drugs. It is desirable to use the latest generation drugs with high affinity for receptors, i.e. no diazolin, please, do not apply. The course of application is usually 7-10 days.

Modern antihistamines are well tolerated and do not have pronounced side effects, therefore, given the difficulty of identifying the true cause of ulceration, you can start taking them from the first day of the disease, and even better - in the prodromal period, when ulcers have not yet formed, but the patient can already feel at the site of their future occurrence - a slight burning sensation or itching.

In general, antihistamines will be an excellent adjunct to topical therapy, even for mild cases of aphthous stomatitis. Ideally, of course, take allergy tests for the main types of allergens. To do this, you will need to pay a visit to the allergist, and this must be done just before you start taking antihistamines.

2. Systemic glucocorticoids -

These drugs are the second line of defense, and are a lifesaver for patients with acute severe outbreaks of aphthous stomatitis. Typically, prednisolone tablets are used in adults at an initial dose of 25 mg/day for the first 7 days (followed by gradual tapering). The total duration of the course of therapy is usually 15 days, but in severe cases it can reach 1-2 months.

However, in a clinical study by Pakfetrat et al. - good results of treatment with prednisolone were achieved with its use at a dosage of only 5 mg / day. Prednisolone is an extremely effective drug for the treatment of severe forms of aphthous stomatitis, but its dosage must be selected individually for each patient, taking into account the severity and severity of the disease, as well as the patient's state of health. Be aware that prednisolone can cause long-term side effects.

The search for alternative safer drugs found that the drug Montelukast (a leukotriene receptor antagonist used as an anti-asthma drug) - at a dose of 10 mg per day, as well as prednisolone, reduced the number of lesions, relieved pain and accelerated the healing of ulcers, while causing significant fewer side effects (clinical study - Femiano et al.). Importantly, Montelukast can be used even when systemic glucocorticoids are contraindicated.

3. Immunomodulators -

Immunomodulators are also a second line of defense, as are glucocorticoids. Their use is especially indicated in patients who are diagnosed with chronic recurrent aphthous stomatitis (with frequent relapses and an aggressive course of the disease). Among immunomodulators, amlexannok, colchicine 1-2 mg/day, cyclosporine, cyclophosphamide, dapsone, methotrexate, montelukast, and thalidomide at a dose of 50-100 mg/day can be used.

With the use of thalidomide, 85% of patients experience a complete remission of severe lesions in the first 14 days, but this drug has very strong side effects. Another immunomodulator is Levamisole, which restores normal phagocytic activity among macrophages and neutrophils and modulates T-lymphocyte-mediated immunity. The use of levamisole significantly reduces the duration of outbreaks of aphthous stomatitis, and it is prescribed - 150 mg 3 times a week (for 6 months).

Levamisole is safer than other immunosuppressive drugs, although side effects have also been described, including nausea, hyperosmia, dysgeusia, and agranulocytosis. It should be noted that treatment with immunomodulators and glucocorticoids is essentially palliative, because none of the systemic drugs still can provide a permanent remission of the disease.

As soon as you notice the appearance of ulcers with aphthous stomatitis, immediately start taking an antihistamine (anti-allergic) drug, plus exclude all foods and drinks from the diet, which we described above. Immediately begin topical therapy that includes an antiseptic rinse, anti-inflammatory gel + bismuth subsalicylate to protect the surface of the ulcer from irritants. See if your toothpaste contains sodium lauryl sulfate, and if so, you should purchase toothpaste without this component.

If brushing your teeth causes pain, then get a soft toothbrush (usually used for inflammation and bleeding gums). For adults and children with constantly recurring outbreaks of aphthous stomatitis, there is an excellent prophylactic agent - and a whole complex of lactic ferments. These components increase the protective factors of the oral mucosa, preventing the development of new cases of aphthous stomatitis. Such toothpastes are available from Splat.

Additional laboratory tests –
with frequent recurring outbreaks, a complete blood count should be performed to exclude hematological diseases. It is important to check the blood plasma immunoglobulins and the number of lymphocytes, to take a test for HIV infection. To exclude autoimmune diseases, the patient is usually referred for the following tests - erythrocyte sedimentation rate, antinuclear antibodies and antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies, IgA-antiendomysial antibodies, plus antibodies to tissue transglutaminase.

If ulcerative lesions heal very poorly, for a long time and practically do not respond to local treatment, it is necessary to refer the patient for a biopsy to exclude granulomatous conditions such as orofacial granulomatosis, tuberculosis or malignant tumors.

Very important -

If your child has stomatitis, then it is very important to correctly determine its shape. Usually it is either aphthous, or, and the most important thing is that they are treated in completely different ways. If your child has developed stomatitis, you should not call the pediatrician. These specialists usually do not even know that there are several forms of stomatitis, and they still either treat them with brown, blue and metrogil, or prescribe a whole bunch of drugs that are opposite in effect - as if from everything at once.

It makes sense to contact a pediatrician only in case of a severe general condition of the child (high temperature, etc.), but such symptoms are not typical for aphthous stomatitis, but for herpetic stomatitis. Therefore, it is optimal to contact a pediatric dentist, and you can always make a house call at the registry office of the pediatric stomatological clinic. We hope that our review: Aphthous stomatitis treatment in adults and children turned out to be useful to you!

Aphthous stomatitis is an inflammation of the mucous membranes of the lips, gums and cheeks with the appearance of ulcers.

This is a common disease among both adults and children, which can cause significant discomfort to the patient.

According to statistics, up to 40% of people at least once encountered the formation of ulcers on the oral mucosa.

The reasons

The reasons for the appearance of aphthae on the mucosa are polyetiological and it is not always possible to determine exactly what exactly led to their formation.

The following main factors can be distinguished:

1. heredity;
2. infectious agents;
3. mucosal injury;
4. stress;
5. allergy.
6. hormonal changes;
7. deficiency of minerals and vitamins;
8. concomitant somatic pathology;

It is proved that the predisposition to aphthous stomatitis is genetically determined. If any of the next of kin suffer from this pathology, then the chances of getting sick in children are higher.

Herpes, measles, and influenza viruses can act as infectious agents. Often, damage to the oral mucosa can be observed with tuberculosis and syphilis.

Non-compliance with the rules of personal hygiene, such as the use of dirty toys by children, leads to the fact that aphthae occur due to exposure to bacterial non-specific flora.

Eating unwashed foods can cause stomatitis

Mucosal trauma is observed when exposed to irritating factors (hot food, smoking), accidental biting, and decayed teeth.

Women often experience aphthous stomatitis during menstruation, menopause, pregnancy, when there is a rapid hormonal change in the body.

An unbalanced diet leads to a deficiency of vital elements such as zinc, selenium, iron, B and C vitamins, which will lead to inflammation of the oral mucosa.

Often, aphthae signal disorders of the gastrointestinal tract, hematological diseases, problems of ENT organs, caries,.

The stress factor is not the last in the development of the disease, as it weakens the body's natural protective barrier.

In childhood, a connection can be found with the appearance of aphthae and the consumption of buckwheat, barley, and rye.

In adults, chocolate, citrus fruits, and the use of oral care products with a high content of lauryl sulfate can act as allergic factors.

The factors that cause stomatitis are very diverse, but they all lead to a decrease in the protective properties of immunity. Therefore, it is important to monitor the lifestyle in order to avoid the occurrence of pathology.

Symptoms

The clinical picture depends on the stage of the disease, of which there are three: prodromal, aphthous and convalescent.

In the prodromal period, patients complain of general weakness, lethargy, and headache.

The mucous membrane of the mouth becomes dry and red spots can be seen on it.

For children, the temperature rises to 38-39 degrees. An increase in regional lymph nodes (cervical occipital, submandibular) is often found.

The aphthous stage is characterized by the appearance of whitish rounded mucous membranes of the cheeks, lips and tonsils. The edges of the aphthae are separated from healthy tissues by a hyperemic corolla and are covered with a fibrinous coating. At this time, eating is difficult due to pain.

Pain gradually subsides, health improves, lymph nodes decrease, aphthae disappear from the oral mucosa.

The healing process takes 2 weeks. In most cases, the mucosa regenerates and remains unchanged.

Less commonly, a patient may experience a necrotic form of the disease, which is characterized by scarring. This course of the disease is observed in patients with severe immunodeficiency.

It is important to recognize the pathology in time - the process can acquire a chronic relapsing course.

Therapy in children

Aphthous stomatitis in children occurs with a high temperature, which must be stopped with antipyretic drugs.

For this purpose, ibuprofen, paracetamol, or a combination thereof is used.

These medicines also have anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties.

Antiseptics and local anesthetics are used in therapy. Antiseptics are characterized by antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties.

Furacillin, chlorheskidin, hydrogen peroxide are popular and effective. Since aphthae cause severe discomfort to a small patient, make it difficult to eat and sleep, it is appropriate to use painkillers. You can appoint Mundizal.

It is important not to forget about the etiological treatment.

So, for children with severe anemia, iron preparations are prescribed, for viral lesions of the oral mucosa, antiviral agents are appropriate, and for allergies, desensitizing therapy is performed.

In the aphthous period, a diet is organized, which involves the use of warm drinks, the exclusion from the diet of solid, coarse food.

A pathology such as aphthous stomatitis is a highly contagious disease, therefore, for the period of treatment, it is advisable to remove the child from kindergarten or school, and at home to observe all the necessary personal hygiene measures.

Therapy in adults

Treatment in adults is divided into local and general. Local means the appointment of drugs that have antiseptic, antimicrobial, wound healing, analgesic properties.

Due to the wide spectrum of action, Ingalipt is prescribed to combat various diseases of the throat and oral cavity.

Antiseptics are presented in a wide range in the pharmacy chain. Among them are used such as Mirimistin, Ingalipt, Furacillin. The choice depends on the individual tolerance and financial capabilities of the patient.

Antimicrobial drugs are selected depending on the causative agent of the disease. With a microbial process, it is effective, with a fungal process - Candide, and herpetic stomatitis can be treated with Acyclovir.

Wound healing agents contribute to the speedy regeneration of the mucosa without cicatricial defects. For this purpose, you can use Solcoseryl.

Teraflu-Lar, Hexoral, Grammidin have an anesthetic effect, which significantly improve the patient's well-being.

General measures include the rehabilitation of chronic foci of infection, the treatment of somatic diseases, the correction of the immune status, and the replenishment of the lack of minerals and vitamins in the body.

Considering aphthous stomatitis, treatment can be quick and effective only if the approach to the treatment of the disease is comprehensive and approved by a professional.

Folk methods and techniques

In most cases, alternative methods of treatment complement traditional therapy.

For these purposes, use herbal remedies that have anti-inflammatory, astringent and analgesic properties.

Chamomile, oak bark, aloe, yarrow, which are used for mouthwashes, have long been known to everyone.

To reduce pain, a decoction of yarrow is prepared. To do this, 1 tablespoon of this plant is taken for 1 glass of water. The broth must be allowed to brew for 15 minutes, then cool and strain. This infusion is rinsed 3-4 times a day.

You can also use the following method.

Three cloves of garlic are ground to the consistency of porridge and mixed with 1 dessert spoon of curdled milk.

With the help of a tongue or a cotton swab, the mixture is applied to aphthae. The procedure is repeated up to 3-4 times a day until complete recovery.

Garlic is known for its antimicrobial properties, which contributes to the speedy recovery.

It is necessary to start alternative methods of treatment after consulting a doctor in order to prevent the process from becoming chronic and untimely diagnosis of serious diseases.

Useful video

An excerpt from the TV show “Live healthy”, dedicated to aphthous stomatitis and its treatment:

Treatment of aphthous stomatitis in adults and children is carried out after a thorough diagnosis, taking into account all the main accompanying symptoms, it is worth noting that this form of the disease is one of the most common. This is evidenced by international statistics of interviewed patients.

Aphthous stomatitis is a disease that disrupts the mucous surface of the oral cavity and is accompanied by the appearance of multiple or single ulcers (aphtha).

Causes

In modern medicine, there is no single approach to determining the causes of stomatitis, including ulcers. The etiology, according to experts, may lie in the following factors:

• diseases of the digestive system that provoked disorders in the oral cavity and caused the appearance of aphthae;
• viral diseases;
• allergy to certain substances that enter the mucous membrane of the oral cavity;
• various injuries of the mouth and mucous membranes;
• genetic predisposition, in combination with other factors, can contribute to the appearance of stomatitis;
• bacteria that have become the causative agents of the disease;
• malnutrition, lack of certain vitamins or substances in the body;
• hormonal changes in the body (eg, pregnancy, puberty)

There is no definite answer to the question of why stomatitis occurs, it can be either one specific factor or a number of reasons. Due to so many possible causes of the disease, anyone can suffer from it.

Symptoms

The aphthous form of stomatitis can carry symptoms that affect not only the oral cavity, but the entire body. The course of the disease is divided into phases:

1. At the first stage, the body will be weakened, the temperature can rise significantly. A person feels a certain discomfort in the oral cavity, loses appetite. After some time, redness appears on the mucous membrane of the mouth, which can stand out not only in color, but also in temperature, over time they turn into sores, which is accompanied by pain.
2. At the second stage, aphthae already clearly manifest themselves - ulcers that can be both ordinary and multiple in nature, they clearly stand out against the background of other areas of the oral cavity not only with a grayish color and a bright red rim. It has a regular round or oval shape and is up to half a centimeter in size. At this stage, painful sensations at the site of the appearance of aphtha increase significantly, and the general condition of the body worsens.
3. At the third stage, the body recovers, until this moment, from the onset of the disease, it takes approximately 1 - 1.5 months. The ulcer gradually disappears, in its place there is a clear redness, while there is also an improvement in the condition of the whole organism.

As you can see, at all stages of the course of the disease, the whole body suffers, which undoubtedly worsens the healing process. In any case, when ulcers appear on the mucous membrane, you should consult a doctor, because this disease often gives complications and needs complex treatment.

Diagnostics

To determine the presence of aphthous stomatitis, the doctor just needs to look at the affected area. Also, the dentist can indicate the nature of the disease: chronic, acute or recurrent.

More difficulties in the process of diagnosing stomatitis are the determination of the causes of its occurrence, as mentioned above, the etiology of this disease remains not fully understood.

The doctor may ask the following questions:

When did the first signs appear?
– what were the symptoms;
- were there any injuries of the oral cavity;
- whether there were similar diseases in relatives;
- whether there is an allergy.

If such an inquiry does not shed light on the problem of the appearance of aphthous stomatitis, then the doctor can send the patient to a variety of additional studies. Laboratory tests will give a clearer picture, which can greatly simplify treatment and make disease prevention more effective.

A photo

For a better understanding of the extent and nature of aphthous stomatitis, several photographs can be taken with the most common forms and types of the disease in order to understand how it looks.

Forms and types

Such a subspecies of stomatitis as aphthous, in turn, is also divided into various forms and types. Depending on all sorts of criteria, there are several classifications of this disease:

1. The nature of the course of the disease:

• acute - a form of the disease, the cause of which is most often a viral infection. In this case, one or more ulcers may appear.
• chronic - a form of the disease that manifests itself over several years. It is characterized by periods of exacerbation and attenuation of the disease, while aphthous ulcers at different stages of development can be found in the patient's oral cavity. Doctors believe that the most likely cause of such a disease is a decrease in immunity along with other factors.

1. The nature of the lesion of the oral mucosa (forms):

• deforming - is considered the most dangerous form of aphthous stomatitis, it is characterized by a severe course of the disease, deep damage and a change in the shape of the oral mucosa;
• grandular - a disease associated with impaired activity of the salivary glands;
• scarring - also occurs on the salivary glands, however, it can be much larger in diameter and be more difficult, in the process of healing, noticeable scars remain on the oral mucosa;
• necrotic - the cause of the appearance may be a complex disease of the body. With this form, necrosis appears in the oral cavity at the site of aphthae, the healing process takes about 1 month.

1. By place of origin:

• on the inside of the lips and cheeks (most often);
• in the language ;
• on the throat ;
• in the sky.

All these forms of the disease proceed in different ways, and require individual and complex treatment. Therefore, if any type of aphthous stomatitis is detected, it is necessary to consult a doctor.

Treatment of aphthous stomatitis

Depending on the age of the patient and the general condition of his body, the process of treating stomatitis will differ, but in any case, it is necessary and you need to know how and how to do it. After all, if this disease is started, then it can entail not only discomfort with facial expressions of the lower part of the face and eating, but also give serious complications.

In adults

• for anesthesia (Lidocaine, Anestezin, Hexoral Tabs);
• for direct treatment (sprays - Lugol, Hexoral, Ingalipt; gels - Actovegin, Holisal);
• for healing (folic acid, propolis spray, sea buckthorn oil, as well as drugs Vinylin, Karatolin).

After these measures, ulcers usually begin to heal, but this does not mean that treatment should be stopped. Until the aphthae are completely eliminated, it is necessary to rinse the oral cavity for some time with solutions that have a healing effect.

It is a complete treatment that reduces the chance of a recurrence of the disease. Also, complex treatment may include taking antibiotics and other drugs prescribed by a doctor. All patients are recommended to prescribe a complex of vitamins.

In children

Aphthous stomatitis in children can be much more difficult than in adults, accompanied by severe pain, difficulty in diagnosing.

If a child has signs of ulcerative stomatitis, you should immediately consult a doctor, he should pay maximum attention to the treatment of ulcers, the improvement of the entire oral cavity of the child. It is also necessary to determine the cause of the disease as soon as possible.

There are significant differences in the organization of treatment and selection of drugs from the same process in adults. Preparations should be less aggressive, natural origin. This, of course, can increase the terms of treatment, however, it will certainly have a positive effect on the child's body.

Effective means:

• vitamin C (we recommend giving the child in a non-acidic version);
• multivitamins containing zinc;
• pribiotics like acidophilus, bifidoc;
• aloe (a cut leaf is applied to the wound, you can also chew it if there are a lot of ulcers);
• juice from carrots or cabbage (dilute with water 50/50);

Particular attention, in the event of aphthous stomatitis in a child, should be given to its prevention, to do everything possible so that the disease does not progress and does not go into a chronic stage.

At home

All measures taken at home to get rid of ulcerative stomatitis should be of an additional nature, while the main treatment should be entrusted to a specialist. Folk remedies are effective for antiseptic action and we recommend that you use the following solution:

At home, you can use a wide variety of solutions:, calendula, chamomile, St. John's wort, thyme, calendula, etc.

At the same time, it is worth remembering that tinctures that are sold in pharmacies can also be diluted, because aphthae are very painful and sensitive, especially in children.

Prevention

Prevention of aphthous stomatitis is, first of all, in the correct and comprehensive care of the oral cavity. If you have ever had ulcerative stomatitis, then you should systematically approach the process of preventing it.

For example, try to avoid physical damage to the oral mucosa, increase your immunity level, since the first appearance of aphtha could mean problems with it.

It is also very important to determine the causes of stomatitis. If they lie in the gastrointestinal tract, or in other body systems, then you need to contact the appropriate specialists, otherwise the disease will become chronic and cause much more problems.

If aphthae began to appear too often, then it is worth switching to a special diet - avoiding too solid food.

Video: aphthous stomatitis - inflammation of the oral mucosa (“Live healthy” with Elena Malysheva)

Other questions

Infectious or not?

As already mentioned, the etiology of this disease has not been clearly defined, but most experts agree that aphthous stomatitis is not contagious, unlike some other types of this disease.

Is aphthous stomatitis transmitted by kissing?

If the cause of the appearance of aphthous stomatitis was caused by injuries, complex problems of the patient's body, then it will not be transmitted during kisses. If the cause of aphthae is a virus, then the transmission of the disease in this way is quite possible.

What doctor treats?

Depending on the causes of aphthae, different specialists can deal with stomatitis, but first of all, you should always contact your dentist.

How much is treated?

Depending on the type and form of the disease, it can be treated from one week (usual acute form) to several months (deforming form).

What to do during pregnancy?

Contact your doctor and report your situation. In the process of treatment, use only natural preparations.

ICD code 10?

According to the International Classification of Diseases, aphthous stomatitis has the code K12.0 (Recurrent aphthae of the oral cavity)

It has several varieties, and one of them is aphthous. It manifests itself in the form of small sores in the oral cavity, causing some discomfort. Treatment can take a very long time. With aphthous stomatitis, the mucous membrane of the oral cavity is covered with formations in the form of ulcers, forming a small wound. Eating or just talking gives a person painful sensations.

What is aphthous stomatitis

The sores that appear with this disease are called aphthae. They can be placed singly or in whole groups. Their shape usually has a round shape with clear contours, having a narrow red border with a grayish bloom in the center.

Treatment of aphthous stomatitis in adults should be carried out under the supervision of a doctor who prescribes it taking into account the individual characteristics of the patient's body, his age, and the strength of his immunity.

Causes

Aphthous stomatitis often occurs when a person has weakened immune system as a result of the harmful action of bacteria, viruses and microbes.

The following infectious diseases can cause the formation of aphthous stomatitis:

• Measles.
• Flu.
• adenovirus.
• Herpes virus.
• Diphtheria.
• Staphylococcus L-form.

In addition, this oral disease occurs for the following reasons:

• If the human body is deficient in vitamins.
• With diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.
• For diseases of the teeth and gums.
• As a result of an injury to the oral cavity, for example, from biting the cheek or from eating too hot food.
• With hereditary predisposition.
• from allergic reactions.

Symptoms of the disease

Aphthous stomatitis has symptoms similar to the first manifestations of ARI:

• There is weakness, malaise.
• The body temperature rises to 38 degrees.
• Appetite decreases.
• Lymph nodes may enlarge.

After that, redness appears on the oral mucosa. As the disease develops on the mucosa aphthae are formed that cover the entire oral cavity. Symptoms such as high fever and general malaise continue to persist. Talking, eating, laughing - all this causes pain in the oral cavity.

causative agents of the disease

In order for the disease to begin its development, it is necessary to enter the body of its pathogen. If the skin or mucous membrane has at least minor damage, then this is enough for infection to enter. She hides for a while, and when the right opportunity comes, she begins to multiply.

If as a result of unsuccessful brushing of teeth oral mucosa is injured a, then the causative agent of aphthous stomatitis rapidly penetrates through this damage. Weak immunity cannot resist the infection, and it begins to multiply rapidly.

Infection can enter the body not only from the outside. The oral cavity has a normal microflora, which contains streptococci, bacteroids and fusobacteria that do not harm a healthy person. If an organism with its protective functions are reduced, this microflora can contribute to the development of the disease.

Aphthous stomatitis can be caused by viruses and bacteria. Viral pathogen is measles, herpes, chicken pox. Bacteria not only cause diseases, but also contribute to the development of complications. It can be a tuberculosis, streptococcal and scarlatinal infection.

Forms of the disease

The following forms of aphthous stomatitis are distinguished from the nature of the damage by aphthae of the oral mucosa:

• Necrotic.
• Scarring.
• Deformable.

Necrotic Form occurs in adults with any blood diseases or suffering from severe forms of somatic diseases. Provoking factors are hypothermia and respiratory diseases. Sores may not heal for about a month, even if treated.

With a scarring form sores are formed in the sky and throat, reaching a size of 1.5 centimeters. Healing takes a very long time, sometimes dragging on for up to three months. As a result, scars form on the affected areas.

Deforming shape considered the most severe, in which the connective tissue is destroyed. Ulcers heal very slowly, after which there is a deformation of the lips, palate, nerve arches.

From how the disease proceeds, aphthous stomatitis is acute and chronic.

In the acute form, single or multiple ulcers affect the oral mucosa. After 1-2 weeks, aphthae disappear, but if not treated, this form becomes chronic.

The chronic form lasts longer. In the acute form, aphthae can heal within 5 days without leaving scars. In the chronic form, ulcers do not heal for a very long time, and if they heal, they tend to re-form. As a result of this, the oral cavity constantly abscesses.

This form is characterized by suppression of the immune system due to comorbidities, such as AIDS. The body can not cope even with the common cold, as a result, all chronic diseases become aggravated.

The chronic form often has allergic origin, because the mucous membrane reacts sharply to all stimuli. New ulcers form, and the old ones do not even have time to heal. This condition is typical for people suffering from urticaria, bronchial asthma and migraine. Studies were conducted during which it was found that a large number of eosinophils enter the blood, and this confirms the allergic nature of stomatitis.

Toxic substances that accumulate in the intestines due to constant constipation can provoke the development of aphthous stomatitis. That's why need to follow a diet and adjust your diet to normalize bowel function. The chronic course of the disease affects people who suffer from diseases of the large intestine.

Treatment of aphthous stomatitis

If an adult has aphthous stomatitis, he should adhere to the following rules:

• It is necessary to stop eating rough foods, such as chips, which easily get stuck in the cheek and can deepen ulcers.
• Teeth should be brushed very carefully so as not to damage the inside of the mouth.
• Avoid sour and spicy foods.
• This type of stomatitis is not contagious, so it is not necessary to use separate dishes.
• You can purchase toothpaste that does not contain sodium lauryl sulfate and other substances that irritate tissues in the mouth. It is also advisable to buy a toothpaste that can delay the growth of annoying plaque.

For the treatment of aphthous stomatitis, the following effective means are used:

A popular method of treatment is cauterization of aphthae. To do this, use drugs that dry up sores and erosion, and this contributes to their healing. These medicines include:

• Lugol containing iodine. It can be sold in the form of applications and spray.
• Fukortsin, this tool is made on the basis of phenol. It must be applied only to the middle of the ulcer. This drug is a universal remedy, they treat all types of stomatitis.

After the inflammation stops, the ulcers become covered with dense crusts. Removing them causes severe pain and may bleed. To prevent this, dried crusts should be removed during the following procedures:

• Start by rinsing your mouth herbal infusion. This softens the crusts, and they begin to be removed more easily.
• Cotton swab moistened oil solution, for example, sea buckthorn oil. It is necessary to lubricate the sores with them, slightly pressing on them.
• After everything dry crusts will be removed rinse your mouth with a disinfectant solution. For repeated procedures, use new cotton swabs.
• Then carefully rinse the mouth with an antiseptic and lightly dry using a bandage or cotton wool.
• After completion of all procedures damaged areas are lubricated with medicine, which has a wound healing and regenerating effect. These are vinylin, mundizal gel, carotolin, stomatofit, olasol.

For severe forms of aphthous stomatitis, such as bacteriological or infectious stomatitis, the doctor may prescribe antibiotics in the form of tablets or injections. They are selected taking into account the individual characteristics of the patient's body, his age, the type of pathogen. Along with antibiotics, drugs can be prescribed that restore the microflora of the stomach and intestines.

Folk remedies for the treatment of aphthous stomatitis

Treatment of this disease should include strengthening the immune system, taking vitamins, as well as the use of folk remedies.

• Since ancient times for rinsing the mouth use the following solution: take half a teaspoon of salt, a third of a teaspoon of ordinary soda and mix in half a glass of boiled water at room temperature. If the pain is very severe, rinse your mouth every 2 hours. This will relieve inflammation and soothe the pain.
• Very well relieves inflammatory processes pharmaceutical chamomile. To use its healing properties, you need to take 1 teaspoon of the flower and pour one glass of boiling water. The product should cool at room temperature, then it is filtered and mixed with 1 teaspoon of honey. This infusion should rinse your mouth 3-4 times a day.
• The following tool also helps very well. Are taken burdock seeds, crush them. The resulting slurry is salted, heated, butter or pork interior fat is added. It is necessary that the gruel turn out to be as thick as sour cream. This ointment lubricates the ulcers in the oral cavity.
• For the treatment of aphthous stomatitis, the following is used drug collection: chamomile flowers, peppermint leaves, medicinal sage leaves and common fennel fruit. All ingredients are mixed, crushed. Then 2 tablespoons of the collection are poured with water and boiled over low heat for about 20 minutes. The broth is cooled, filtered and rinsed in the form of heat in the mouth 5-6 times a day.
• Helps well decoction of oak bark. It is crushed, a tablespoon is poured with a glass of water and boiled over low heat for about 15 minutes. Cool, filter and rinse the mouth with it. The resulting volume must be used at one time.
• Ulcers are not bad treated with the following tincture. Dry grass of mint, paprika and chamomile is taken, all one tablespoon each, all this is put in a jar and poured with a glass of alcohol. The jar is closed with a tight lid and infused for 2 weeks, then filtered and 3 drops of mint oil are added. This tincture is necessary to cauterize the sores twice a day.

Disease prevention

In order to get sick with aphthous stomatitis as rarely as possible, it is necessary to strengthen the immune system. For this use immunocorrectors and immunomodulators, as well as vitamin complexes, which contain a large amount of vitamins B and C. The diet should consist of a sparing diet, without salt, spices, spicy and acidic foods.

In order for the body to be able to actively resist various infections, it is advisable to harden, start playing sports and give up all bad habits. In addition, do not forget to monitor the condition of your gums and teeth, visit the dentist regularly for treatment and prevention.

Aphthous stomatitis is a disease accompanied by a vivid clinical picture. Pathology makes it difficult to eat and affects the quality of human life. Lack of treatment leads to the transition of the disease into a chronic intractable form. There are many varieties of the disease, each of which requires its own approach to treatment. For this reason, it is necessary to deal with aphthous stomatitis under the supervision of a doctor.

What is aphthous stomatitis

The name of the disease comes from the word "aft", or ulcer. A characteristic symptom of the problem is the defeat of the mucous membranes of the mouth with the formation of sores, various in shape and size. Formations occur in the mouth separately or in groups with lesions of large areas of mucous structures.

Aphthae are more often localized in the anterior part of the oral cavity, on the inside of the lips and cheeks. These areas are more susceptible to damage, friction and accidental bites. Less commonly, wounds have stomatitis on the tongue. The disease may be accompanied by a slight increase in temperature and general weakness. Aphthous stomatitis lasts an average of 8-12 days.

Aphthae in the mouth are round and resemble erosions with a white or gray coating, surrounded by a bright red shell. The size of the wounds does not exceed 1 cm in diameter. With a mild course of the disease, 1 sore appears in the mouth, with a severe one - from 3. Touching the affected areas causes acute pain and discomfort to a person, so eating with a problem is very difficult.

Development mechanism

Medicine has not established the exact mechanism for the development of stomatitis of the species in question. Two factors contributing to the development of the disease have been identified: autoimmune disorders in the body and the influence of pathogenic microflora.

In its development, aphthous stomatitis goes through several stages. Pathogenic flora, getting into the oral cavity, provokes a change in the composition of saliva. The condition is not accompanied by characteristic symptoms due to the fact that immune cells do not recognize the pathogen. At the next stage, the body begins to produce lysocytes that attack the foreign substance. As a result, erosions appear on the mucous membranes of the mouth.

The following factors are of great importance in the mechanism of development of stomatitis:

• malnutrition;
• use of oral hygiene products with aggressive chemical composition;
• non-compliance with the regime of work and rest;
• bad habits - smoking, biting the inner surface of the cheeks;
• lack of vitamin D in the body;
• violations in the work of the digestive tract;
• uncontrolled intake of antibiotics and non-steroids.

An advanced form of aphthous stomatitis caused by carious lesions of the teeth

Kinds

In addition to the chronic course of the disease, there are several more types of aphthous stomatitis:

1. fibrinous. Ulcers on the mucous membranes have a grayish tint and disappear on their own after 1-2 weeks. In the chronic form of the course, the pathology recurs 3-4 times a year.
2. Necrotic. It develops due to infectious and viral pathogens. When the disease occurs, the death of mucous cells. In the recurrent form, the size of the aphthae increases with each new exacerbation, making it difficult to eat and speak. The healing process of large wounds lasts up to 1 month.
3. Grandular. Occurs with damage to the salivary glands. Neoplasms are large and reappear after healing.
4. Scarring. Aphthae reach 1 cm in diameter, and after healing leave visible scars on the surface of the mucous membranes. Erosions heal for a long time - from 3 months.
5. deformable. It is considered one of the most severe types of pathology. Ulcers deeply affect the mucous membranes, which causes scarring and changes in the structure of the oral cavity. Recovery takes a long time - from 2 months.
6. Herpetic. It is more often diagnosed in children who become infected with the virus from the mother in utero or during childbirth. Aphthae are small bubbles and appear in the plural (up to 30 pieces at a time). The mucous membranes of the mouth in a child become inflamed and acquire bright red hues.
7. Recurrent. Often diagnosed aphthous stomatitis in adults. In children, this type of pathology practically does not occur. Wounds merge with each other, forming large lesions. Ulcers are covered with a white coating and are accompanied by pain and burning.
8. Spicy . It is more often observed in children under 3 years of age and occurs against the background of infectious diseases - whooping cough, diphtheria or measles. Acute aphthous stomatitis is accompanied by increased salivation and bad breath.
9. Mixed . Common among children over 4 years of age. Erosions in the disease cause burning and pain. With each relapse, the disease manifests itself brighter.

The photo shows changes in the structure of the mucous membranes resulting from the deforming form of stomatitis

The danger of the problem and how it spreads

Is the disease contagious? The answer to this question depends on the cause of aphthous stomatitis. An illness of viral, infectious and fungal etiology is easily transmitted from one person to another through common items: dishes, toys, etc. The viral type of the disease can be infected by airborne droplets: when talking, while sneezing.

Infectious aphthous stomatitis is dangerous for children, since the local immunity of their mucous membranes is not sufficiently formed. The infection is transmitted in the same way as the virus: by contact and airborne droplets. Adults become infected with pathology if they have abrasions and microdamages in the oral cavity.

Fungal stomatitis is not transmitted by airborne droplets. This type of disease develops when shared utensils, water and food are used with the patient. People with a weakened immune system and diabetes are especially vulnerable to a fungal pathogen.

Fungal stomatitis is characterized by extensive lesions and the formation of white plaque on the tongue.

Aphthous stomatitis, provoked by beriberi, mechanical damage and stress, is not contagious. Forms of the disease transmitted from one person to another are especially dangerous for infants. Their immunity cannot fully cope with the introduction of a foreign agent. Which leads to severe forms of the course of the disease with damage to internal organs.

Symptoms

Symptoms of aphthous stomatitis vary depending on the stage of its development. Initially, the condition is accompanied by inflammation of the lymph nodes, malaise, fever and worsening temperature. Then, reddening of the mucous membranes of the oral cavity and the appearance of ulcerative rashes up to 5 mm in diameter are noted. As the pathology progresses, erosion becomes covered with a yellowish or gray coating. General symptoms of the disease, hyperthermia and malaise, persist.

The initial stages of the disease are characterized by severe inflammation and redness of the mucous membranes.

The signs of the problem disappear in the final stage of stomatitis: the patient stops feeling burning and itching in the mouth. Usually, after the acute stage, the person's condition returns to normal, and after the wounds there are no scars (with the exception of the deforming form of the disease).

Aphthous stomatitis in adults begins abruptly. The disease is accompanied by:

• the formation of small bursting bubbles that leave behind aphthae;
• soreness in the mouth when consuming foods with a pronounced taste;
• general weakness and rise in temperature up to 39 degrees;
• inflammation of the mucous membranes and looseness of its structure;
• the appearance of a white coating on the tongue.

The problem under consideration is recommended to be treated under the supervision of a dentist, since there is a possibility that the problem will become chronic (recurrent) form. In this case, the mucous membranes swell and acquire pale shades. Ulcers affect the inside of the cheeks, the area under the tongue and lips, less often the palate and tongue. Lesions can be up to 1 cm in diameter and become red. With extensive damage, aphthae protrude above the surface.

Extensive lesions at the merger of several aphthae into one

An exacerbation in the chronic form of the problem is observed for 12-15 days. Without proper treatment, erosion with each relapse affects the deeper layers of the oral cavity. In this case, the wounds can bleed, causing the person even more discomfort. The condition is dangerous with the possibility of infection. In addition, deep erosion leaves behind non-healing scars.

Diagnostics

An experienced doctor will be able to make a correct diagnosis after a visual examination of the oral cavity. To confirm the assumptions, the dentist collects detailed information about the disease: the time of the first symptoms, the intensity of the symptoms, the presence of mechanical and thermal injuries of the oral cavity, allergies to food and drugs, the presence of similar problems in the next of kin.

To identify the causative agent of aphthous stomatitis, they resort to laboratory diagnostic methods - a smear on the flora. It is important to diagnose stomatitis with herpes lesions, since these diseases have a similar clinical picture.

Treatment methods

It is necessary to treat aphthous stomatitis in adults comprehensively and under the supervision of a specialist. Therapy is not stopped even after the disappearance of visible signs of the problem. This can provoke a repeated exacerbation of the disease and its transition to a chronic form.

Medical treatment

For local treatment of the oral mucosa, patients are prescribed antimicrobial sprays and gels with anti-inflammatory action. Medicines are prescribed depending on the type of aphthous stomatitis and its severity. For irrigation of aft, dentists prescribe Miramistin spray. It suppresses the reproduction of viral and infectious pathogens and normalizes the microflora of the oral cavity.

The choice of antiseptic agents for a problem depends on the age of the patient and his sensitivity to the components of the drugs.

To lubricate wounds at the initial stage, Holisal gel is recommended. The drug is used after antiseptic treatment with aft sprays or solutions. The procedure is performed 3-4 times a day. In addition to Cholisal, other ointments with an anesthetic and anti-inflammatory effect can be prescribed: Kamistad, Kalgel, Trasilol, Clobetasol, Benzocaine. Treatment with ointments should not last more than 7-10 days, as these drugs have adverse reactions.

With the secondary manifestation of signs of aphthous stomatitis, the treatment of mucous membranes is carried out with antibacterial sprays: Tantum Verde, Oracept, Geksoral. For quick and effective treatment of aphthous stomatitis, Stomatofit-A gel is used. It contains medicinal herbs and an anesthetic. The gel is applied to the lesions with a cotton swab.

After the disappearance of wounds, agents with a regenerating effect are used, for example, Solcoseryl. The drug prevents the occurrence of scars after pathology. Therapy of stomatitis is supplemented with the use of antihistamines - Diazolin, Claritin, Tavegil. The course of taking drugs for allergies is 10-14 days.

Sanitation of the oral cavity

A common cause of aphthous stomatitis is dental diseases of the oral cavity: gingivitis, periodontal disease, advanced caries. For this reason, treatment of the problem should begin with the sanitation of infectious foci in the mouth. Their elimination will reduce the duration of stomatitis and prevent its recurrence.

Sanitation of the mouth is especially important in cases of a chronic form of the problem. Dental deposits, caries are favorable conditions for the reproduction of pathogenic flora.

Sanitation of the oral cavity is an important aspect in the treatment of aphthous stomatitis

Strengthening local immunity

As immunomodulatory agents, patients are prescribed fermented pastes. The composition of hygiene products includes lysocin, lactoferrin or lactoperoxidase. Substances contribute to the strengthening of the protective forces of the mucous membranes and accelerate the death of the pathogenic flora.

For the same purpose, candies are purchased, for example, Imudon. The drug is absorbed up to 6 times a day, for 10 days. Drug treatment can be carried out using natural herbal ingredients: ginseng, echinacea and propolis or preparations containing these plants (Immunal).

Dieting

Due to the fact that the sores are accompanied by pain, preference is given to warm and liquid food. With aphthous stomatitis, you can eat: soups, liquid cereals, pate, vegetable purees. The diet is saturated with proteins and carbohydrates so that the body can fully fight the pathogen.

During therapy, the intake of foods with a pronounced taste is excluded: sour, sweet, bitter. A prerequisite for treatment is a complete cessation of smoking and alcoholic beverages.

The microflora of the mouth is restored by the following types of products:

• olive oil;
• sea ​​buckthorn oil;
• carrot;
• greens;
• potato;
• oatmeal;

Treatment of aphthous stomatitis in adults is similar to the treatment of pathology in children. You can learn more about the treatment of problems in younger patients.

Honey accelerates the regeneration of wounds in stomatitis and contributes to the death of pathogenic flora in the mouth

Methods of struggle at home

How to treat aphthous stomatitis at home? Folk methods of dealing with aphthous stomatitis are used as an addition to the main therapy regimen. Some natural ingredients have an anti-inflammatory effect, which speeds up the healing process.

• Chamomile tincture. Quickly helps in the treatment of any inflammatory processes in the oral cavity, including chronic stomatitis. Decoction recipe: 1 tsp. dry plant pour 200 ml of boiling water and incubated until cool. The liquid is filtered from the cake, 2 tsp are added to it. honey and drink 30 minutes after eating.
• Raw potatoes. The vegetable is peeled, chopped on a fine grater and put in cheesecloth. The resulting slurry is applied to erosion 3 times a day for 15-20 minutes. For each procedure, a new mixture is used.
• Garlic. A few cloves of the plant are squeezed through a press and mixed with 2 tbsp. l. curdled milk. The resulting mixture is kept in the mouth for 2-3 minutes, and then spit out. The procedure may cause burning of wounds, but this is not a reason to stop the procedure. Treatment of the oral cavity is performed 3 times a day after meals.

Preventive actions

Prevention of aphthous stomatitis consists in careful care of the oral cavity. Mechanical damage to the mucous membranes should also be avoided.

Important in the prevention of pathology is the identification of the cause of the disease. Chronic stomatitis cannot be cured without eliminating provoking factors, for example, diseases of the digestive tract, beriberi.

With the frequent appearance of aft, one should visit specialists of several profiles - a psychologist, a gastroenterologist, a dentist. To prevent chronic stomatitis, it is important to follow a diet and exclude too solid foods from the diet.