Stomatitis in babies is a condition characterized by inflammation of the mouth that leads to the appearance of mouth ulcers on the tongue, gums, cheeks and throat, which may be due to allergies, trauma to the mouth or be a consequence of the developing immune system.
However, in some cases, stomatitis can be a consequence of virus infection, mainly the herpes virus, this situation being known as herpetic gingivostomatitis, which is accompanied by other symptoms and should be evaluated by a pediatrician.
Treatment for stomatitis in babies must be carried out in accordance with the pediatrician’s guidance, and it is recommended that the baby’s mouth is always clean and that medicine is used to alleviate symptoms and reduce discomfort in some cases.
Main symptoms
Stomatitis is more common in babies up to 3 years of age and causes symptoms such as irritability and refusal to eat, as there may be pain when food touches the wound. Other symptoms that may appear in case of stomatitis are:
- Canker sores in the mouth or inflammation of the gums;
- Pain in the mouth and throat when swallowing;
- There may be a fever above 38º;
- Feeling of general malaise;
- Sores on the lips;
- Bad breath.
These symptoms can appear at the same time, but most often it is just the appearance of canker sores. In the presence of signs and symptoms indicative of stomatitis, especially when there are other symptoms in addition to canker sores, it is important that the child is taken to the pediatrician so that an evaluation can be carried out, the cause identified and, thus, the most appropriate treatment can be initiated.
See the symptoms of stomatitis in children over 3 years old and what to do.
Causes of stomatitis in babies
Stomatitis can have several causes, being more common due to a weakened immune system, the baby’s habit of putting dirty hands and objects in the mouth, allergies, trauma to the mouth or as a result of the flu, for example. Furthermore, stomatitis can occur due to contamination by the Herpes simplex virus or the Coxsackie genus, which is related to hand-foot-and-mouth syndrome, and there are usually other symptoms in addition to the cold sore.
Stomatitis can also be related to children’s eating habits, and is common due to vitamin B and C deficiency.
How to treat stomatitis in a baby
Treatment for stomatitis in babies must be indicated by a pediatrician or dentist and normally lasts about 2 weeks, and it is important to be careful with the foods the baby eats and with the hygiene of the teeth and mouth, in addition to being essential to stimulate hydration.
It is important that the baby’s mouth is always clean, to prevent the proliferation of microorganisms in the cold sore, and the use of medication may be recommended to alleviate symptoms and reduce discomfort, such as Paracetamol, for example. In some cases, the use of an antiviral drug, Zovirax, may be recommended if it is gingivostomatitis caused by the Herpes virus. This medication helps heal mouth wounds, but should only be used with a pediatrician’s prescription.
How to feed your baby with cold sore
It is important that the baby’s nutrition continues even in the presence of canker sores, however it is important to take some precautions to avoid worsening symptoms, such as:
- Avoid acidic foods, such as oranges, kiwi or pineapple;
- Drink cold liquids such as fruit juice such as melon;
- Eat pasty or liquid foods such as soups and purees;
- Prefer cold foods like yogurt and gelatin.
These recommendations help to reduce pain when swallowing, preventing cases of dehydration and malnutrition. Check out baby food and juice recipes for this phase.
Bibliography
- MATOS, Andréia L.; SÁ, Maria Aparecida B.; PEREIRA, Mayane M. et al. Oral injuries in childhood: systematic review of interest to speech therapy. Rev. CEFAC. Vol 18. 1 ed; 209-213, 2016
