Gingivitis and stomatitis are oral diseases. They can become very dangerous if not detected in time and treated properly. Maintaining good oral hygiene is one of the things you can do to avoid these diseases. Discover here the causes, symptoms and possible treatments of gingivitis and stomatitis.
Here is a guide to learn more about gingivitis and stomatitis.
What do we know about gingivitis?
Gingivitis is known to be an infectious inflammatory disease. It is a localized inflammation of the gums. In most cases, it results from a build-up of plaque on the teeth and under the gums. Bacteria grow in the plaque, causing inflammation of the gums.
These causes and symptoms are particularly diverse.
The causes of gingivitis
Gingivitis is caused by an accumulation of plaque, a film of bacteria that turns into tartar. Most of the time, it results from poor oral hygiene. When teeth are not cleaned properly and carefully, bacteria meet the gums and create gingivitis. Nevertheless, several other factors can also be at the origin of this ailment. These may include smoking, stress, hormonal changes, medications, poor nutrition and chronic diseases.
Symptoms of gingivitis
To treat gingivitis quickly, you should know its signs to detect it early. In case of gingivitis, the gums become red and swollen. When brushing, they are bleeding and painful at all times. Since the patches contain bacteria, this condition leads to persistent bad breath. You may notice spaces called periodontal pockets that take place between the tooth and the gum.
Treatments to cure gingivitis
To eradicate it, you should brush your teeth at least twice a day for two minutes. Use a good technique to clean your teeth and use brushes that are less than three months old. You can floss between your teeth at least once a day.
You can brush your teeth with the Y-Brush sonic toothbrush. This is a toothbrush with soft, fine bristles that brushes all the teeth and their sides at the same time so you have less plaque on your teeth and less chance of getting tartar.
What do you know about stomatitis?
Stomatitis is the inflammation of the oral mucosa. It can affect the gums, tongue, palate, inside the mouth or cheek, etc.
Causes of stomatitis
Stomatitis is mostly caused by an infectious agent. It can be the herpes simplex virus in the case of herpetic stomatitis or a yeast called Candida. It can also be caused by certain types of medication. Sometimes stomatitis is the consequence of chemotherapy, radiation therapy, etc. Injuries due to poorly fitting dentures, poor dental hygiene, dry mouth are also involved. People who smoke, drink alcohol or are often stressed can quickly get this disease.
What are the types of stomatitis?
Canker sores and cold sores are the two types of stomatitis. Canker sores are a very common condition and their cause is not known. It is possible that stress and poor diet are the source. They are very often a yellow top and a red base. Canker sores are very painful and can last for one to two weeks. When they disappear and reappear, it is an aphthous stomatitis. Herpes labialis is caused by an infection of the herpes simplex virus. It appears as fluid-filled blisters. Herpes labialis is contagious unlike canker sores.
Symptoms of stomatitis
Aphthous stomatitis manifests itself with painful ulcerations of the oral mucosa. Herpetic stomatitis is characterized by the appearance of small spots on the lip. Oral thrush is characterized by a whitish coating that surrounds the mucous membranes of the interior of the mouth. In general, stomatitis can create large pus-containing pimples in the mouth, bleeding from the gums.
Stomatitis can occur anywhere in the mouth. It can occur on the inside of the cheeks, on the gums, on the tongue, on the lips, palate and throat. Stomatitis can occur outside your mouth, i.e. on your hands and feet. In this case, you must consult a doctor as soon as possible.
Treatments for stomatitis
The treatment of stomatitis will first be antiseptic in order to counter the infection. The doctor should take a medical history to try to identify the cause of the stomatitis. Then, a pain-killing treatment must be given to relieve the pain. You can opt for local antiseptic solutions such as mouthwash. To avoid bacterial multiplication, broad-spectrum antibiotics should be used.
Apart from treatment and medication, you should change your diet. You should leave out very spicy or hot foods since they can irritate the mucous membranes much more. To keep your mouth moist, you should drink plenty of water and fluids.
We hope this guide has helped you understand the causes, symptoms and treatments of gingivitis and stomatitis. It will help you understand how to manage these two oral diseases in all circumstances.
