The problem with having a sore mouth is that you are severely limited in a number of ways – you cannot eat, talk or even open your mouth properly and without eliciting some degree of pain. Stomatitis is the term used in general when you have a sore mouth. Inflammations and sores can occur anywhere in your oral cavity from the cheeks, lips to your gums.
Here are some common types of stomatitis:
Cold sores. Often mistaken for canker sores, cold sores are fluid-filled sores that surround or directly on the lips. They are rarely seen on the roof of your mouth and your gums. Also known as fever blisters, cold sores crust when they are in the process of healing and eventually form scabs. Sufferers often say that they feel tingling, burning and tenderness when the cold sores are just starting to break out.
Canker sores. The difference between cold sores and canker sores is the fact that the latter are found inside your mouth such as the insides of your cheek and lips. These aphthous ulcers look pale with reddish borders. They occur singly or in clusters, and are self-limiting.
Gum infection. Dental conditions which affect the gums affect majority of individuals basically because it’s something impossible for a person to be very thorough with his or her dental hygiene regimen. The root cause of gum infections is plaque and tartar. While plaque can be eliminated by brushing, flossing and rinsing with mouthwash, most people hardly brush twice a day. Symptoms of gum disease include tender and swollen gums which easily bleed.
Other mouth irritations. You can cause injury to any part of your mouth either mechanically or chemically. For instance, you could hit your gums while brushing your teeth or bite into your lip. On the other hand, chemical reactions involving foods that are too hot and spicy, and chewing tobacco can also induce burns and other forms of irritations.
Treatment for Stomatitis
Depending on the type of mouth injury which you have, the treatment will also vary. For instance, canker sores and cold sores are self-limiting conditions which resolve on their own. However, you may limit the pain and discomfort that they can cause by taking pain relievers. Cold sores may be brought about by the herpes simplex virus so individuals who suffer from recurrent cold sore outbreaks should consult a physician and be screened for the presence of the virus.
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