Shrewsbury Mouths and Stomatitis

Shrewsbury mouths and stomatitis: if your mouth is sore, red or swollen, you may be dealing with this common and very treatable problem. Even a small irritation in the mouth can cause real discomfort. At Southern York Smile Care in Shrewsbury, PA, Dr. Steven Haywood can help find the cause and ease the pain.

Ouch! The mouth is a bad place for sores, injuries or inflammation. You use it all day to talk, eat and drink, so even a tiny sore can be hard to ignore. This article explains what stomatitis is, what causes it, how to soothe it at home, and when it is time to see your dentist.

What is stomatitis?

Stomatitis is a general name for inflammation of the soft tissues inside the mouth. It can affect the cheeks, gums, tongue, lips, and the roof or floor of the mouth. It may show up as one small sore, a patch of redness, swelling, or a burning feeling.

Stomatitis can affect your ability to speak, eat and even sleep. If you have ever had a painful mouth sore, you know how much it can affect your day. The good news is that most cases are mild and clear up on their own.

Dentists often describe stomatitis by its cause. Sores from canker sores are sometimes called aphthous stomatitis. Sores from the cold sore virus are called herpetic stomatitis. Redness and soreness under a denture is called denture stomatitis. Knowing the type helps point to the right treatment, which is why a quick look from your dentist can be so useful when a sore does not behave the way you expect.

Common causes of mouth sores and irritation

Stomatitis has many possible causes. Some are simple and short-lived. Others point to a problem that needs care.

Sores and infections

• Canker sores. Small, round, painful sores with a white or yellow center and a red edge. They form inside the mouth and are not contagious. Stress, minor injuries and certain foods can trigger them.
• Cold sores (fever blisters). Caused by a common virus, they usually appear on or around the lips. They are contagious, especially while blistering.
• Thrush. A yeast infection that looks like white, creamy patches. It is more common in babies, older adults, denture wearers and people who use inhaled steroids or have recently taken antibiotics.
• Gum disease. Bacteria below the gumline can make gums red, swollen, sore and prone to bleeding.

Injuries and irritation

• Biting the inside of your cheek or your tongue
• Burns from hot food or drinks, like pizza or coffee
• Rubbing from a broken tooth, a rough filling or a chipped crown
• Rubbing from a denture that no longer fits well, or from an orthodontic appliance
• Brushing too hard with a stiff brush

Other causes

Mouth sores can also be linked to low levels of certain vitamins and minerals, such as B12, folate or iron. Some medicines, cancer treatments, allergies and conditions that affect the immune system or the gut can cause mouth sores, too. Tobacco use irritates the tissues of the mouth and raises the risk of more serious problems.

How to soothe a sore mouth at home

Most mouth sores heal on their own in less than two weeks. While you wait, these steps can ease discomfort and help healing:

1. Rinse with warm salt water a few times a day. Stir about half a teaspoon of salt into a cup of warm water, swish and spit.
2. Take an over-the-counter pain reliever if you need one, following the label.
3. Avoid foods that sting, such as spicy, salty, acidic or crunchy foods, until the sore heals.
4. Use a soft toothbrush and brush gently around the sore. Keeping your mouth clean helps it heal.
5. Drink plenty of water to keep your mouth moist.
6. Try an over-the-counter mouth sore gel for short-term numbing.
7. For cold sores, avoid touching the blister, and do not share cups or lip balm until it heals.

For more on these common sores, read Southern York Smile Care Treats Canker Sores, Lesions and Fever Blisters.

When to see your dentist

Call your dentist if you notice any of these:

• A sore, lump or patch that has not healed in two weeks
• White or red patches that do not rub off
• Sores that keep coming back
• Pain that makes it hard to eat or drink
• Fever, swelling in the face or swollen glands along with mouth sores
• A sharp tooth, broken filling or loose denture that keeps rubbing

Your dentist can help tell whether a sore is caused by a virus, bacteria, yeast or simple irritation, and suggest the right treatment. If a broken tooth or rough filling is causing the problem, restorative dentistry can smooth or repair it. If gum disease is part of the picture, gum disease treatments can help the tissue heal. A denture that rubs can often be adjusted or replaced; see the dentures page.

Why a sore that lingers matters

Most mouth sores are harmless. But a sore that does not heal can sometimes be an early sign of oral cancer. Oral cancer is far easier to treat when it is found early, which is why regular screenings matter.

At Southern York Smile Care, every exam includes an oral cancer screening. The office uses ViziLite, a special light that helps show tissue changes, and a blue dye rinse that highlights areas worth a closer look. If a spot looks suspicious, an OralCDX brush test can collect cells for lab testing with very little discomfort. To learn more, read What You Need to Know About Oral Cancer.

Preventing mouth irritation

You cannot prevent every sore, but these habits lower your risk:

• Brush gently twice a day with a soft brush, and clean between your teeth daily.
• Get chipped teeth and broken fillings fixed promptly.
• Keep dentures clean, take them out at night unless told otherwise, and have their fit checked.
• Let hot food and drinks cool before you eat.
• Eat a balanced diet, and avoid tobacco.
• Keep up with your 60-minute dental cleanings, where the team checks the soft tissues of your mouth as well as your teeth.

Get relief for a sore mouth

Your dental health is important, and so is your comfort. If you have a mouth sore that worries you, or it is simply time for your next exam and cleaning, call (717) 235-3871 or request an appointment at Southern York Smile Care, 4 S. Main St in Shrewsbury, PA. Dr. Haywood has more than 35 years in practice and welcomes patients from Shrewsbury, York, southern York County and northern Baltimore County.

About the authorDr. Steven Haywood, DDS

DDS cum laude 1987, US Air Force residency, NYU cosmetic training and Fellow of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists, with 35+ years in practice.

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