Stomatitis

(Health bulletin)

Although it is small and hidden in the oral cavity, but the pain can sting and spread to the entire body. This illness can heal by itself. Until today, medical scientists have not succeeded in discovering the exact cause of stomatitis.
If there is a chronic wound in the mouth, beware of mouth cancer. Smokers and alcohol drinkers face the largest risk of this disease.

Stomatitis, which is in the medical term called Stomatitis aftosa, is divided into three types:

1. Minor stomatitis aftosa: small diameter round wound, less than 5 mm. Total number of wounds ranges from 1 to 5. Commonly it heals within 14 days, without leaving any scar. This is the most common stomatitis.
2. Major stomatitis aftosa: wound diameter ranges from 1 to 3 cm. It lasts for 4 weeks or more. Only a few people are infected by this type of stomatitis.
3. Herpetiform stomatitis aftosa: small wounds in a group totaling 10 to 100 wounds. Because it resembles a symptom of herpes, this stomatitis is called ‘herpetiformis’. The difference is that this stomatitis is painful while herpes is not.

Stomatitis only occurs in parts of mouth that do not have keratin (hoof substance). For example, lower side of tongue, base of mouth, also cheeks and inside part of the lips. However, if there are wounds or pimples looking like stomatitis that occur in parts of mouth that has keratin, such as upper part of the mouth or gum, be careful as it may be a symptom of serious herpes virus infection.

Factors that may trigger development of stomatitis

1. Physical strike, such as accidental bite, hit by sharp food (fishbone), brushing teeth too hard or hastily
2. Lacking iron, folate and vitamin B 12.
3. Stress, degradation of body resistance. For example, in the workplace, before exams, facing serious problems in the family.
4. Sensitive to certain foods, for example coffee, chocolate or peanut. If stomatitis develops every time you eat something, this means you are sensitive to such food.
5. Hormonal changes, for example decline in the estrogen hormone content. Stomatitis often develops before menstruation.
6. Poor dental hygiene, causing stomatitis to recur
7. Genetic factor i.e. if the family or parents have a history of repeated stomatitis bout
8. Illnesses or medical actions that cause decline in body resistance, such as organ transplantation, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, obstipation (severe in defecation) and HIV/ AIDS.

Streptococcus type bacteria are often found in stomatitis wounds. Quick clinical response treatment with tetracycline support that fact.

How to overcome stomatitis?

Because of pain, plus strong drive to quickly get rid of stomatitis, many people are careless in choosing medicines. Actually stomatitis can heal by itself without treatment. The existing stomatitis medicines aim at reducing pain and inflammation.

Be careful with the use of policresulen (Albothyl ®) sold freely in market, aimed at drying stomatitis wound and white clot and peeled off. Whereas if it is used too much, this active ingredient can actually remove mucus layer in the gum and other parts of mouth that can trigger greater infection hazards ( chemical burn ). Ensure to use it based on physician’s instructions.

Correct things to do:

1. Avoid eating ‘sharp’ foods, such as chips, fish (fishbone not removed yet), chili (including chili sauce), and oranges. Therefore, the assumption that eating a lot of oranges can heal stomatitis because they are rich in vitamin C is wrong, because orange acid can instead aggravate stomatitis wound. Also avoid foods and drinks that are too hot and too cold, and drinks containing soda.
2. Rinse with salt solution or betel decoction for one minute. How to make it: a half tea spoon of kitchen salt is dissolved in a half glass of warm boiled water, or 20 leaves of betel (taken from the stalk tip) are boiled in water with adequate volume.
3. Carefully keep mouth clean. Limit the volume and frequency of eating, because frequent eating makes mouth area dirty. Regularly brush your teeth slowly and carefully. If the pain is too severe, wash your mouth by rinsing.
4. Don’t use gargle containing alcohol to treat stomatitis ( Total Clinic has a supply of gargles containing iodine without alcohol ). Alcoholic drinks should also be avoided. Also, toothpaste with detergent ( active sodium lauryl sulfate ingredient ) should be avoided, because it will make mouth lining easily drying, so it is vulnerable to being wounded and poison can easily penetrate thru mouth pores.


Beware of Mouth Cancer


Although the wound and symptoms of cancer resemble stomatitis, it turns out there is no link between the two diseases. Mouth cancer lasts for months ( while stomatitis always heals and then recurs ), the wound in the mouth caused by cancer does not trigger pain at all while stomatitis is very painful.

Similar with other types of cancer, mouth cancer is also caused by unhealthy lifestyle, including the habit of consuming foods containing carcinogenic agents. It may be also triggered by exposure to pollutants existing in the environment, and genetic factors.

There is usually only one white round wound which indicates mouth cancer, particularly on lower parts of the lips, surfaces of lower side of the tongue, edge of the tongue and base of the mouth. A wound resembling a crater with wound edge higher and harder than other surrounding areas.

Those with high risk of having mouth cancer are men above 40, smokers, alcoholic drinkers, tobacco, betel leaf and areca leaf chewers, and those with history of cancer in the family. But mouth cancer also attacks women.

If you have a chronic, painless wound in the mouth, consult immediately with the physician in Total’s clinic/nearest hospital in your area, you may be referred to a dentist with mouth disease and surgery specialization.