Until a certain time, stomatitis was considered a disease characteristic of children. However, recently, adults are also increasingly affected by it. It is believed that the cause of the appearance of wounds on the mucous membranes of the oral cavity, as well as on the inside of the lips and cheeks, is the immune response to the pathogen. There are a number of factors that contribute to the development of stomatitis. The disease causes great discomfort to adults, but it is especially difficult for children. In our article we will tell you what stomatitis is and which doctor to contact to diagnose and treat this disease. In addition, we will dwell on folk methods of getting rid of this disease.
What is stomatitis?
This disease is associated with an inflammatory process on the oral mucosa, covering the inside of the lip, tongue, gums, and palate. According to some reports, approximately every fifth person worldwide suffers from stomatitis. Depending on the pathogen, there are several types of this disease. The appearance of ulcers and blisters on the mucous membranes of the mouth is the body’s reaction to a foreign irritant.
Stomatitis is often called a childhood disease. Most often, children between the ages of one and three years experience it. But many adults also know about this disease firsthand. In any case, it will not be superfluous to learn about what stomatitis is and which doctor to contact if you find erosions or ulcers in your mouth.
Symptoms of stomach and duodenal ulcers
The signs of an ulcer are quite pronounced, so a person most often immediately seeks help. There are the main symptoms of a stomach ulcer.
1. Pain of an intermittent nature that occurs in the upper abdomen. Patients associate the pain syndrome with eating fatty, spicy, fried foods, alcohol, or excessive physical activity.
Important!
The pain from a perforated (perforated) ulcer is acute, very intense, accompanied by brown vomiting (this indicates that bleeding has begun).
2. Heartburn. This symptom is observed in 80% of people with ulcers - a strong burning sensation appears an hour and a half after eating (in the esophagus).
3. Nausea and vomiting. A person begins to feel sick literally immediately after eating, and often it ends with vomiting, which alleviates the condition.
4. Lack of appetite. Most often this is a psychological symptom because after eating people feel discomfort, so they subconsciously avoid eating.
There are also nonspecific symptoms of stomach and duodenal ulcers: a dense white coating on the tongue, chronic constipation, constantly wet palms.
Types of disease
Depending on the irritant or pathogen, different forms of stomatitis are distinguished:
- Enteroviral. The disease is transmitted by airborne droplets. Its causative agent is an enterovirus infection. If left untreated, clear blisters from the oral mucosa spread to the skin.
- Aphthous. The appearance of this disease is often associated with allergies to food or medications. With aphthous stomatitis, white blisters with a transparent border appear on the inner surface of the lips, gums and cheeks. They hurt and cause a lot of inconvenience to a person.
- Catarrhal. This disease is accompanied by swelling of the mucous membranes and the appearance of a characteristic plaque on them. This is the most common form of stomatitis.
- Herpes. It develops when there is a herpes virus in the body. It appears in the form of transparent small rashes that gradually begin to burst, forming ulcerative erosion.
- Candida. The causative agent of the disease is the Candida fungus. It is accompanied by the formation of a white cheesy coating on the tongue, under which painful ulcers are hidden. This type of stomatitis is often called thrush. The disease is typical for young children.
- Stomatitis of anular type. The disease is accompanied by the formation of bubbles and cracks in the corners of the lips, which burst and begin to bleed. Sometimes they are covered with a grayish coating on top.
To prescribe correct and timely treatment, you need to know which doctor to see for stomatitis. Self-medication in most cases can lead to a worsening of the patient's condition. Only a specialist will be able to correctly diagnose the causes of the disease and select effective treatment.
Acute glossitis
Here you need to explain in more detail which symptoms require urgent medical attention. There are many types of glossitis, and often their symptoms are similar.
- Catarrhal glossitis is manifested by inflammation of the mucous membrane with swelling and redness. Caused by bacteria, a complication of candidal stomatitis, smoking, acute respiratory infections, influenza, alcohol, caries, and can signal gastrointestinal diseases.
- Ulcerative: It can be recognized by a dark gray plaque, bleeding ulcers and an unpleasant odor from the mouth. It signals ulcerative necrotic stomatitis and especially develops with decreased immunity.
- Abscess: develops in case of injury to the tongue, it swells, turns red, becomes painful, breathing may be difficult, and swelling increases.
- Mycotic: if a white cheesy coating appears on the back of the organ, this indicates mycotic glossitis; it appears when immunity is reduced.
- Desquamative: signals problems with the circulatory/digestive system, kidney disease, dysbacteriosis, metabolic disorders. It manifests itself as itching and burning, mild soreness, and red polishing spots.
- Herpetic glossitis: against the background of acute respiratory infections, hypothermia and stress, it is visually manifested in the appearance of bubbles on the mucous membrane, which, when bursting, turn into painful ulcers. The temperature rises, the head hurts, joint pain torments.
We invite you to familiarize yourself with Syphilis in the mouth: stages and treatment
With glossitis, the tongue hurts and burns, tissues swell, speech becomes difficult, salivation is impaired, and it becomes difficult to chew food.
Causes of stomatitis
Depending on the form of the disease, its causative agent can be various fungi or bacteria. But, regardless of this, there are a number of associated factors that can lead to the appearance of stomatitis:
- eating unwashed vegetables and fruits;
- non-compliance with the rules of oral hygiene or its complete absence;
- mechanical damage to the mucous membranes of the mouth, biting the tongue or cheek while eating;
- alcohol abuse, smoking;
- eating too spicy or salty foods that irritate the mucous membranes;
- exposure to poor ecology;
- changes in hormonal levels during pregnancy.
One of the reasons for the development of aphthous stomatitis is an allergy to food or medications. But to diagnose the disease, you need to know which doctor to see. Aphthous stomatitis causes a lot of inconvenience for adults, and in children it is often accompanied by fever.
Why does peptic ulcer appear?
Previously, it was believed that the cause of peptic ulcers was poor diet or alcohol abuse. But modern research has proven that the causes of atrophic gastritis, a precursor to ulcers, are the presence of the bacterium Helicobacter pylori, which lives in gastric juice and neutralizes it. This bacterium can enter the human body through dirty hands, dishes, medical instruments, and also during pregnancy from a woman to her fetus.
There are also some provoking factors
1. Long-term use of certain medications. For example, Diclofenac or Ibuprofen, as well as other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs - they negatively affect the condition of the gastric mucosa. The risk of peptic ulcer disease increases in patients over 65 years of age who simultaneously use coagulants and corticosteroids.
2. Abdominal injuries (blows/bruises, internal burns, frostbite).
3. The presence of common diseases: inflammation of the pancreas or liver, tuberculosis, syphilis.
4. Non-compliance with diet and diet, alcohol abuse and smoking.
Symptoms of the disease
One of the characteristic features of stomatitis is its rapid spread. In just a few hours, a slight redness on the mucous membranes turns into a painful sore, causing pain and discomfort when brushing your teeth and while eating. Regardless of the form of the disease, it is characterized by the following symptoms:
- redness of the gums;
- formation of white plaque on the affected areas;
- painful sensations in the mouth.
Incorrect treatment or lack thereof leads to progression of the disease. Small blisters gradually spread throughout the oral mucosa, forming deep ulcers. Therefore, it is important to know which doctor to go to for stomatitis in order to prevent the development of the disease and get rid of discomfort. The disease is especially acute in children.
Who to contact?
The following symptoms are cause for concern:
- my stomach hurts;
- worries about bloating, constipation, heaviness, nausea, belching;
- a specific coating has formed on the tongue;
- there was an unpleasant odor from the mouth.
If you have signs of the disease, first of all you need to go to your local physician . This doctor will conduct an initial examination, and if the symptoms are confirmed, he will refer you to a more specialized specialist - a gastroenterologist.
Return to contents
Which doctor should an adult see for stomatitis?
If you neglect to treat the disease, it can become chronic. And since each type of stomatitis is caused by different pathogens, for its successful treatment it is first necessary to identify the nature of the disease. So which doctor should you contact for stomatitis? The diagnosis of this infectious and inflammatory disease of the oral cavity is carried out by the dentist. It is when you identify the first signs of stomatitis in an adult that you should immediately contact this specialist. If the signs are atypical, then an additional consultation with a therapist would be helpful.
Problems in children
At the first symptoms of the disease, you should contact a pediatric dentist.
In childhood, aphthous stomatitis is much more severe. During treatment, constant monitoring of the baby’s condition and adjustment of medications are required. To prescribe medications, you should go to a pediatric dentist, who will prescribe adequate therapy, correctly select the dose of the drug and take into account the age characteristics of the small patient. If the treatment does not bring the expected result, the dentist will recommend visiting specialists:
- An immunologist who, based on specific tests, will assess the patient’s immunity status and, if necessary, prescribe treatment.
- Hematologist, because the appearance of aphthae may be associated with a hematopoietic disorder that develops in childhood.
- An infectious disease specialist who, based on a visual examination of the baby and a detailed conversation with the parents, will find out what is causing the appearance of long-term non-healing aphthae in the mouth. If a source of persistent infection is detected, it will be sanitized.
Stomatitis in a child – which doctor should I contact?
The dentist treats inflammatory and infectious diseases of the oral cavity in children, as well as in adults. Stomatitis often appears in babies after a year, when they actively pull foreign objects into their mouths, or in newborn babies - as a reaction of the internal microflora to foreign irritants. In the latter case, we are talking about the candidal form of the disease or the so-called thrush. It will be useful for every mother to know which doctor to contact for stomatitis and thrush. This specialist is a pediatrician. It is he who will be able to make the correct diagnosis and prescribe the appropriate medications.
Additional examinations
If you find out that your friends have turned to other doctors for stomatitis, do not be surprised - this is possible. Depending on the cause and pathogen, the disease may indicate problems with vital organs and systems of the body. In such cases, a pediatric or adult dentist, pediatrician or therapist may refer for additional examination to specialized specialists:
- allergist;
- immunologist;
- neurologist;
- infectious disease specialist;
- hematologist;
- gastroenterologist.
A visit to a physical therapist may also be necessary to consolidate treatment. He will conduct a course of regenerating and immune-restoring physiotherapeutic procedures: laser therapy, aerosol therapy using rose hips, chamomile, St. John's wort, oak bark and other medicinal plants.
Consultation with other doctors may be necessary
To completely cure stomatitis, be sure to follow all doctor’s instructions.
Traditional treatment
To carry out successful therapy, it is necessary to correctly determine the nature of the causative agent of the disease. Regardless of which doctor treats stomatitis in the mouth - a dentist or a pediatrician, he prescribes the patient appropriate antifungal or antiviral drugs, as well as antibiotics.
In addition to the above medications, antiseptics and disinfectants are mandatory means of therapy. These are rinses, compresses and local ointments. The most effective of them are “Kamistad”, “Solcoseryl”, “Cholisal”, “Hexoral”, “Chlorophyllipt”.
When treating stomatitis in children, decoctions of medicinal herbs (chamomile, sage, calendula, oak bark) are often used. For various forms of the disease, a drug such as Stomatidine has proven its effectiveness. It is important to strictly follow all doctor’s instructions so as not to harm the child’s body.
When is a visit to a gastroenterologist indicated?
Chronic diseases of the oral cavity, including stomatitis, are directly related to the gastrointestinal tract, and vice versa, pathologies of the oral cavity affect the state of the gastrointestinal tract. Changes in the acidity and microflora of the stomach, deterioration of digestion, and the proliferation of bacteria lead to stomatitis and other inflammations.
READ ALSO: how and with what is stomatitis in the mouth of children treated?
An appointment with a gastroenterologist is indicated:
- with frequent relapses,
- during the transition of stomatitis from acute to chronic form,
- when the disease was caused by an enterovirus infection,
- in severe forms of aphthous stomatitis (one of the common causes of its occurrence is disruption of the gastrointestinal tract) (we recommend reading: aphthous stomatitis in children: symptoms, photos and treatment).
Traditional methods of treating stomatitis
Most adults, in search of various methods of getting rid of the disease, turn to folk remedies. But they may not always be effective. First you need to determine the nature of the disease. So, if stomatitis is caused by mechanical damage to the mucous membrane, you can use decoctions of various medicinal herbs (chamomile, oak bark, sage, etc.). However, in other forms of the disease, the use of these same drugs will be ineffective.
If stomatitis was caused by various infections, traditional medicine in this case will be ineffective and even dangerous. You can only alleviate the patient's condition by rinsing the mouth with a solution of salt, soda and iodine. But it is unlikely that it will be possible to cure infectious stomatitis without antibiotics.
If you ignore the symptoms of the disease, complications may arise such as damage to the gums and teeth, including their loss, the proliferation of bacteria and an exacerbation of the disease with the spread of ulcers throughout the mucous membrane.
What other specialists will help with gastritis?
Since during the diagnosis of an illness the patient is advised to adhere to a special diet, it would be logical to visit a doctor, who is called a nutritionist.
A specialist, taking into account the age, disease, symptoms, and condition of the patient, will be able to create the most rational and healthy menu. For gastritis, the doctor selects a diet from so that the patient’s body receives all the necessary vitamins and nutrients. During observation by a nutritionist, the diet can be adjusted throughout the entire period of treatment for the disease. Before going to the doctor, the patient is tormented by the question: is it better to turn to a young specialist or a more experienced one. It is generally accepted that an older doctor has extensive experience and has encountered various features of the disease throughout his working career. Such specialists are well versed in prescribing medications for different types of gastritis.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gtbGfwaxGP4
Thanks to extensive experience, the doctor has an idea of how best to combine medications for quick, effective relief from the disease. The downside of these specialists is that they do not improve their skills due to their busy schedules, so their treatment mainly uses only outdated methods.
The young specialist, relying on advances in the field of medicine, is well versed in symptoms and correctly prescribes therapy. Such a gastroenterologist knows all the advanced technologies to combat the disease, new medications and preventive methods. When choosing a specialist, pay attention to the doctor’s attitude towards his patient and his interest.
Application of laser technologies
Using modern technologies, stomatitis can be cured much faster than with traditional and folk remedies. The main advantage of using a laser is that the treatment is completely painless. At the same time, the adjacent layers of the mucosa, to which the disease has not yet spread, remain intact. When treating wounds and ulcers with a laser, they are simultaneously disinfected, thereby preventing infection from penetrating deep into the lesion. This treatment method has no contraindications for use.
The only drawback of laser technology is the high cost of the procedure.
Disease prevention
The following measures will significantly reduce the risk of stomatitis:
- compliance with personal hygiene rules for oral care;
- balanced diet with all necessary vitamins;
- eating only fresh vegetables and fruits;
- strengthening the immune system;
- giving up bad habits such as smoking and drinking alcohol;
- field trips, daily walks in the fresh air;
- thorough processing of baby bottles, pacifiers, toys;
- timely treatment of caries and other diseases of teeth and gums.
Stomatitis is often called the “disease of dirty hands.” It is imperative to ensure that children wash their hands before eating and do not eat dirty vegetables and fruits. Every mother should know in advance which doctor to go to with stomatitis in order to begin treatment of the disease on time and prevent negative consequences.
Course of treatment from a gastroenterologist
At the initial stage of treatment, the doctor may recommend using generic medications to relieve pain. These remedies are intended only to eliminate the signs of the disease; they do not treat the body. During the transition to the second stage, the doctor offers stronger drugs that affect the inflammatory process.
If a person experiences the first signs of gastritis, it is worth visiting a gastroenterologist immediately, this will allow the disease to be identified in a timely manner and its treatment to begin so that the condition does not worsen further. Initially, you can contact a therapist, who, based on complaints and tests, will refer you to a doctor of a narrow specialization.
If the patient trusts the professionalism and competence of his attending physician, in 60% of cases of treatment of gastrointestinal diseases, the patient recovers quickly. Remember, health is more important than anything!
About 80% of the Russian population suffers from gastrointestinal diseases of varying degrees of severity. The leading disease is inflammation of the gastric mucosa. This condition is called gastritis, and it can occur in a latent form, which complicates diagnosis. It is especially important for doctors to find out the exact cause of the disease in order to prescribe truly effective treatment. Practice shows that it is quite easy to get rid of the disease if it is detected at the initial stage.
In addition to the fact that a gastroenterologist treats intestinal dysbiosis, there is a list of diseases associated with this internal organ. Therefore, today this particular doctor is considered the most sought-after specialist in medicine. Poor environment, poor lifestyle, bad habits and irregular diet lead to the development of diseases of the digestive system.
- all types of hepatitis;
- ulcers and gastritis;
- pyelonephritis, glomerulonephritis, nephropathy, as well as crystalluria;
- dyspancreatism;
- toxoplasmosis;
- infectious mononucleosis;
- infections in the digestive organs;
- cholelithiasis and urolithiasis;
- dysbiosis.
The most common reason for visiting a gastroenterologist is considered to be intestinal dysbiosis, a disease of the 21st century. Most often, this phenomenon occurs after heavy drug therapy or due to the death of beneficial intestinal bacteria. And only such a highly specialized doctor will be able to solve any problems associated with the stomach and intestines.
Depression, bad mood, lack of sleep, poor appetite, weak immune system, dysbiosis and abdominal pain. Surely you have experienced all these symptoms yourself.
