Sores in the mouth are very annoying and affect the general well-being of people. Anyone can be affected at times. However, they are particularly common in older people and young children.
What is inflammation in the mouth?
An inflammation in the mouth can affect the lining of the mouth (stomatitis), the gums (gingivitis) or the structures supporting the teeth (periodontitis).
It does not represent a uniform disease. Sometimes these complaints are accompanying symptoms of other underlying diseases. In some cases, however, they are the main disease. The symptoms range from extensive inflammation to narrow foci of inflammation (canker sores). The complaints are often associated with severe or sometimes unbearable pain.
Depending on the cause and effects, it can be harmless or, in individual cases, very serious health disorders. In the elderly and infants in particular, an inflammation in the mouth can be the result of a weakened immune system and often requires thorough medical diagnosis and therapy.
causes
The causes of inflammation in the mouth are varied. Often it is infections with bacteria, viruses or fungi in the mouth that are caused by a weakened immune system. The bacteria of the genus streptococci very often cause extensive inflammation of the oral mucosa, the gums or the gums.
They usually multiply based on food debris between the teeth or on the tongue. Inadequate oral and dental care or people with dentures can therefore often lead to unpleasant inflammations in the mouth. A weakened immune system can also form the basis for fungal diseases (thrush) or viral infections caused by herpes viruses (oral rot) in the mouth.
A lack of vitamins A, B and C, iron deficiency, alcohol abuse or too much smoking can also lead to infections in the mouth. Frequent causes are also injuries and burns in the mouth area.
Sometimes drug treatment for cancer follow-up care (chemotherapy) or therapy for rheumatism with gold compounds can lead to these symptoms. In some cases, however, such as canker sores, the causes of the mouth sores remain unknown.
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➔ Medication for bad breath and bad breathDiseases with this symptom
- Inflammation of the oral mucosa
- Periodontal disease
- Oral cancer
- Inflammation of the gums
- Canker sores
- Mouth rot
- Tooth root inflammation
- thrush
- Tongue cancer
Diagnosis & course
Inflammation in the mouth is a relatively common phenomenon and often heals quickly. In the case of chronic and persistent complaints, however, a doctor should always be consulted to clarify the cause.
First, the doctor will look at the current appearance of the symptoms and clarify which areas of the mouth and throat are affected by the inflammation. If the clinical picture is unclear and the stomatitis recurs, another disease may be the cause. Therefore, in this case, the doctor will record the medical history. Here it is important for him to clarify which other illnesses are present and whether there are indications of similar complaints in the family.
In this context, it is also important for the doctor to determine which medication the patient is receiving, whether any allergic reactions are known and what his diet is like. Using a swab of the oral mucosa, he will then determine which pathogen is the cause of the inflammation in the mouth.
Complications
Inflammation in the mouth causes a number of complications, depending on the cause. Inflammation, such as that found in gum disease or dental disease, increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes and joint disorders. In detail, periodontitis can lead to arteriosclerosis, rheumatism and similar sequelae. Pregnant women who have inflammation in the mouth are much more likely to have premature births.
In addition, inflammations in the mouth inevitably lead to further inflammations in the mouth and throat and, as a result, damage to the gums, the airways and the organs in the mouth. Mouth infections often weaken the immune system and can be a risk factor for weakness, exhaustion or even circulatory collapse, especially in older people and small children. It is also assumed that inflammations that persist over a long period of time carry bacteria into the blood and can thus cause a variety of other diseases. If it is a case of tooth inflammation, bone loss, tooth loss and a regression of the gums also occur.
Inflammation of the tongue leads to pain and numbness in the mouth, dry mouth and sore throat. In addition, most inflammations in the mouth are very thirsty, the sense of taste can be numb and food intake is made more difficult by a swollen tongue or hairy tongue. The symptoms and complications can vary greatly due to the manifold causes, which is why inflammations in the mouth must always be clarified by a doctor.
When should you go to the doctor?
Inflammations in the mouth are mainly noticeable as painful swellings and redness. The occasional white or yellowish deposits and blisters on the oral mucosa, as well as ulcers, including occasional bleeding, often cause those suffering from them to seek treatment from a doctor.This is good, because conventional home remedies such as teas to drink or gargle are no longer sufficient here.
Consulting a doctor in case of inflammation in the mouth should also be seen as a preventive measure. Depending on the location and nature of the inflammation in the mouth, the doctor treating you should be a family doctor or a dentist, and for children and infants also a pediatrician.
If there is an inflammation in the mouth in the gum area, teeth may loosen or even fall out without treatment. The dentist's treatment can also address the problem of bad breath and bad taste, which is often associated with inflammation in the mouth.
Patients with a sore mouth may also develop a fever. Older patients as well as young children and babies may refuse to eat due to inflammation in the mouth. This can lead to dangerous fluid imbalances. These are good reasons not to hesitate long before consulting a doctor if there is an inflammation in the mouth.
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Treatment & Therapy
Inflammation in the mouth is very uncomfortable and painful. In the case of a harmless bacterial infection, however, it can be treated with antiseptic agents such as chlorhexidine, benzydamine, hexamidine or cetylpyridinium chloride or herbal ingredients made from chamomile, myrrh or sage.
Means such as lidocaine or benzocaine, which are used for local anesthesia, can be used to relieve pain. At the same time, intensive dental and oral care is necessary to eliminate the source of the bacteria. However, if the infection is intense, protracted, and very persistent, it is important to see a doctor. In the case of bacterial infections, he will order antibiotic therapy.
Herpes infections are treated with antivirals that contain the active ingredient acyclovir. Fungal infections with Candida albicans are treated, for example, with the antifungal agents nystatin or miconazole.
The causes of painful mouth ulcers are not known. Although they heal on their own, they often cause excruciating pain. The aim here is to relieve the pain by applying gels containing lidocaine. If inflammation in the mouth is a symptom of another underlying condition, the focus will be on treating it.
Outlook & forecast
An inflammation in the mouth is usually a very painful thing because the food intake is significantly restricted. Anyone who suffers from such an inflammation in the mouth should watch out for possible pus formation, because if this forms, it is a sign of a significant worsening of the inflammation.
In order to prevent the formation of pus, antibiotics can be used. The drug will stop the further formation of pus fluid and the inflammation should subside. However, antibiotics must be matched to the corresponding type of bacteria and are therefore issued by a doctor.
If the corresponding inflammation severely impedes swallowing, there is even a risk of malnutrition. The saliva production is stopped in such a case, so that it can come to an extreme dryness in the oral cavity.
Said symptoms can be treated with disinfecting mouthwashes. If you clean the affected areas regularly, you should be able to see a significant improvement after two to three days. If the pus continues to form, antibiotics are strongly recommended.
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➔ Medication for bad breath and bad breathprevention
An inflammation in the mouth can be prevented very well through intensive dental and oral hygiene. It is important to ensure that all food residues are removed from spaces between the teeth and areas that are difficult to access.
After brushing your teeth, you should rinse your mouth with mouthwash. This also prevents tooth decay and unpleasant bad breath. Furthermore, to avoid inflammation in the mouth, it is recommended to strengthen the immune system through a healthy lifestyle with plenty of exercise and a balanced diet.
You can do that yourself
An inflammation in the mouth is always a very unpleasant thing. As a rule, discomfort occurs when chewing and swallowing, so that food intake is significantly restricted. To alleviate these symptoms, great emphasis should be placed on oral hygiene. A disinfectant mouthwash is of great help here. With a mouth rinse, the inflammation in the mouth can be cleaned up and freed from dangerous bacteria. Hard foods such as chips, nuts or the like should be avoided entirely in order to avoid further injuries or sources of inflammation in the oral cavity.
If pus is already emerging from the inflammation in the mouth, a visit to the doctor is inevitable. Pus is always a sign that the infection is getting worse. In consultation with a doctor, taking antibiotics is advisable in such a situation. Antibiotics help reduce inflammation and prevent further infections. Otherwise there is a risk of blood poisoning if the inflammation in the mouth does not improve.
Drinking chamomile tea can also help control inflammation, as long as it is not in an acute condition that requires consulting a doctor. Chamomile is a natural anti-inflammatory product that has healing and soothing properties.
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