Bacterial stomatitis: what it is, signs in adults and children

Stomatitis is inflammation of the oral and lip mucosa that produces sores or ulcers. The diagnosis "bacterial" sounds alarming, but it refers to something understandable: bacteria have become involved in the inflammation. Let's calmly break down what this means and what to expect.

What bacterial stomatitis is

Stomatitis in general is inflammation of the oral cavity and lips, which may include redness of the mucosa and single or multiple ulcers. Most often discussed are catarrhal stomatitis, caused among other things by bacteria and fungi of the genus Candida, and aphthous stomatitis, where the causes may be bacteria or viruses. Simply put, bacterial stomatitis is inflammation in which a bacterial infection has joined irritation or injury. Stomatitis itself is not contagious, but the cause that triggered it may be contagious.

Why bacterial stomatitis develops

The mucosa is first damaged and then becomes inflamed. The pathogen, through injury, a burn, infection, allergy, or hormonal disorder, weakens immunity, and the incubation period lasts from 2 to 4 days. Predisposing factors include insufficient or excessive oral hygiene, poorly made dentures, mechanical and thermal injuries, dehydration, lack of vitamins and iron, smoking, stress, and hormonal fluctuations. According to statistics, 65% of older adults with dentures suffer from stomatitis.

Signs of bacterial stomatitis in adults

With stomatitis, including bacterial stomatitis, the mucosa becomes swollen, painful, and reddened, and may be covered with a white or yellow coating. There may be increased salivation, bleeding gums, and bad breath. In the aphthous form, round ulcerations are visible with a white or beige coating in the center and red inflamed mucosa around them. The tissue next to the ulcer usually looks healthy, and there are no pronounced general symptoms such as high fever.

Bacterial stomatitis in children: specifics

In children with advanced forms of stomatitis, several ulcers may appear at once, fever rises, and the child's general condition worsens. The doctor assesses the appearance of the ulcers, their location, and the child's overall condition.

When an ulcer becomes infected

If an ulcer bleeds or becomes more painful and red, this may be a sign of infection. The exact type of lesion is determined by a general practitioner or dentist, and incorrect self-treatment can lead to generalization of the infection.

How it is diagnosed and when to see a doctor

The doctor reviews the medical record and examines the oral cavity. There are currently no special tests such as biopsy or culture to identify stomatitis: what matters most is the appearance of the ulcers, their location, and how often the disease recurs. You should see a dentist or doctor if an ulcer persists longer than 3 weeks, looks different from previous ones, bleeds, or becomes more painful and red. Another reason for a visit is ulcers in other parts of the body or painful, red, swollen joints.

• The ulcer does not heal for longer than 3 weeks
• The ulcer is unusually large or closer to the back of the throat
• The ulcer bleeds or becomes more painful and red
• Ulcers have also appeared on the skin or genitals
• Joints are painful, red, or swollen

This alone is not a reason to call an ambulance; 103 or 112 — if life-threatening symptoms occur (severe condition, loss of consciousness, difficulty breathing).

This material is for reference: it helps you understand what is happening but does not replace a doctor's consultation — the final diagnosis and examination plan are determined by a specialist.

This content is for reference and does not replace a doctor's consultation. Medical disclaimer