Diseases of the tongue and lips in children

What are the diseases of the lips and tongue in children, how to treat them and what is the prevention of these diseases

Stomatitis

Stomatitis is an inflammation of the oral cavity. It affects the mucous membranes: the thin layers of skin on the inside of the mouth. This disease can prevent the child from eating, speaking and sleeping.

Stomatitis can occur anywhere in the mouth, including the inside of the cheeks, gums, tongue, lips, and palate.

Types of stomatitis

A canker sore is a pale or yellow sore with a red outer ring or a cluster of sores in the mouth, usually on the cheeks, tongue, or inside the lip.

Cold sores are fluid-filled sores that appear on or around the lips. They are rarely formed on the gums or palate. Cold sores later become crusted over and are usually accompanied by tingling, tenderness, or burning before the sores appear.

Oral candidiasis (thrush) is a condition in which the fungus Candida albicans accumulates on the lining of the mouth. Candida is a normal microorganism in the mouth, but sometimes it can overgrow.

Oral thrush causes creamy white patches, usually on the tongue or inside of the cheeks. Sometimes oral thrush can spread to the palate, gums, or back of the throat.

Symptoms of stomatitis

Stomatitis is often accompanied by painful sensations and burning in the mouth.

Symptoms may include:

• ulcers in the mouth with a white or yellow layer and a red base, usually inside the lips, cheeks or on the tongue;
• red spots;
• blisters;
• edema;
• oral dysesthesia — a burning sensation in the oral cavity.

Symptoms of canker sores:

• pain;
• usually lasts from 5 to 10 days;
• relapse may occur;

are usually not accompanied by an increase in temperature.

Symptoms of herpes:

• painful ulcers;
• disappear after 7-10 days;
• sometimes associated with cold or flu symptoms.

Symptoms of thrush:

• creamy-white spots on the tongue, inside of the cheeks, and sometimes on the palate, gums and tonsils;
• redness, burning or soreness, which can be quite severe and cause difficulty with eating or swallowing;
• cracks and redness in the corners of the mouth;
• loss of taste.

In babies, thrush can lead to feeding problems and they can become fussy and irritable. The infection can be transmitted to the mother during breastfeeding, and then back: from mother to child.

Causes of stomatitis

The causes of stomatitis can be trauma from incorrectly fitted prostheses or braces, improper or insufficient nutrition, a bite on the inside of the cheek, tongue or lip, the use of certain drugs and products, various infections, etc.

It is not known exactly what causes canker sores, but many factors can contribute to their development, such as certain medications, oral trauma, poor diet, stress, bacteria or viruses, lack of sleep, sudden weight loss, and certain foods.

Canker sores can also be associated with a temporary decrease in immunity due to a cold or flu, hormonal changes, or low levels of vitamin B12 or folic acid. Even biting the inside of the cheek or chewing on a sharp piece of food can cause canker sores.

Canker sores can occur due to a genetic predisposition and are considered an autoimmune disease. They are also not contagious.

Cold sores are caused by the herpes simplex virus type 1. Unlike cold sores, cold sores are contagious from the time the blister breaks until it heals completely.

Initial infection often occurs before adulthood and can be mistaken for a cold or flu. After a person is infected with the virus, it remains in the body, entering a state of rest. Reactivation of the virus is facilitated by stress, trauma, hormonal changes (for example, menstruation) and exposure to sunlight.

When ulcers reappear, they usually form in the same place as the first time. The virus can also spread to other parts of a person’s body, such as the eyes or genitals.

Oral thrush and other yeast infections are caused by an overgrowth of C. albicans.

When a person’s immune system is working properly, the good bacteria in the body help keep C. albicans in check. But if the immune system is weakened or the balance of microorganisms is disturbed, the fungus can get out of control.

Diagnosis and treatment

The diagnosis will depend entirely on what caused the stomatitis.

First of all, the doctor should perform a physical examination of the ulcers.

Other tests may include:

• swabs, both bacterial and viral tissue scrapings or swabs for fungal infections;
• blood tests;
• allergy tests.

Treatment of stomatitis will also depend on its cause.

If inflammation in the mouth was caused by an allergic reaction, it will be necessary to determine what exactly the allergy is and try to eliminate its consequences.

Stomatitis caused by an infection may require specialized treatment depending on the infection.

If stomatitis is caused by a specific disease, the doctor will try to identify it and treat it.

Local treatment of ulcers helps reduce pain and speed healing.

You can help reduce pain by following these recommendations:

• avoid acidic foods and drinks, in particular citrus fruits in the child’s diet;
• salty, spicy or hot food can also inflame the ulcer and worsen the condition;
• make sure the child drinks water regularly

be careful with any anesthetic gel or medicine, as they may contain ingredients unsuitable for small children.

Diseases of the tongue and lips

Stomatitis is also classified depending on which parts of the mouth it affects.

Glossitis is a disease that causes swelling and inflammation of the tongue. People with glossitis often have a smooth or “glossy” tongue. Glossitis may occur suddenly (acute glossitis) or may recur over time (chronic glossitis).

What are the types of glossitis?

Atrophic glossitis occurs when a child loses many papillae (tiny bumps on the tongue that contain taste buds).

Median diamond-shaped glossitis. This type of glossitis affects the middle or back of the tongue. Most experts believe that the median diamond-shaped glossitis indicates a fungal infection (candidal glossitis).

Geographic tongue, sometimes called benign migratory glossitis. It causes smooth, map-like red lesions on the tongue.

Burning mouth syndrome. This condition primarily affects the tip of the tongue and palate.

Symptoms and causes

Glossitis symptoms vary depending on the underlying cause. They can appear suddenly or develop over a long period of time.

Common symptoms of glossitis include:

• smooth, shiny tongue;
• pain and sensitivity of the tongue;
• edema;
• redness;
• problems with speaking, eating or swallowing.

Causes of glossitis:

• allergic reactions to food products, medicines or dental care products;
• infections (viral, bacterial or fungal);
• deficiency of vitamins or nutrients;
• trauma of the oral cavity;
• low iron level;
• dry mouth (xerostomia).

How to get rid of glossitis

Treatment of glossitis depends on the underlying cause of the disease.

Your doctor may prescribe oral medications, such as antibiotics, antivirals, or antifungals.

In some cases, a corticosteroid ointment may be recommended to reduce pain and redness.

If the child has a deficiency of vitamins or nutrients, it is worth adding more nutrients to his diet.

It is also worth remembering that proper oral hygiene helps eliminate harmful microorganisms that can cause infection.

Haylit

Cheilitis is a group of inflammatory conditions that cause red, dry, peeling, and itchy lips. There are many possible causes of cheilitis, including infections, allergies, irritants, and lip licking.

Symptoms of cheilitis

There are several different types of cheilitis, but they share many of the same symptoms, including:

• dry lips;
• redness;
• edema;
• peeling or cracking of the lip;
• itching and burning sensation;
• increased sensitivity of the lips;
• lip color change.

Types and causes of cheilitis

Eczema cheilitis is the most common form of cheilitis, in which eczema (atopic dermatitis) develops on the lips. It is a non-infectious condition caused by an abnormal immune response. This type of cheilitis is most common in children and adults with other atopic (allergy-related) conditions, such as hay fever, food allergies, and asthma.

Symptoms of eczematous cheilitis occur when a person is under the influence of allergens or irritants.

Angular cheilitis is a form of cheilitis that affects the corners of the mouth. This happens when saliva collects in the cracks and in the process of evaporation draws excess moisture from the skin, causing it to dry out and crack. In angular cheilitis, a secondary infection is often found, in particular, the fungus Candida albicans or the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus.

Children who drool, suck their thumb, or lick their lips in winter are at risk.

Actinic cheilitis is also called solar cheilitis because it is caused by prolonged exposure to the sun. It is more common on the lower lip than on the upper. Actinic cheilitis is a form of precancer that, in rare cases, can develop into a type of skin cancer.

There are other unusual types of cheilite.

For example, exfoliative cheilitis, which mainly affects young people and causes constant peeling of the lips. The cause of the condition is unclear, but appears to be related to repetitive behaviors such as sucking, biting, or licking the lips.

Specialists of the Yarema dental clinic urge you to take care of the condition of the oral cavity and to raise dental culture in children.