Overview

Stomatitis is a common condition affecting the mouth, causing ulcers called canker sores. Different types of stomatitis include herpetic stomatitis, caused by HSV-1 infection; aphthous stomatitis, a noncontagious condition; angular stomatitis, a mild condition affecting the corners of the mouth; and nicotinic stomatitis, caused by excessive heat from smoking.

Causes

Stomatitis can be caused by 

• Injury 

• Infection 

• Allergy, or skin disease 

Common causes include 

• Trauma 

• Ill-fit dentures 

• Chemotherapy 

• Viral, Bacterial and Yeast Infections 

• Dry mouth 

• Smoking 

• Weakened immune systems 

• Stress 

• Certain diseases like Sjögren's syndrome, Crohn's disease, and Candida. 

• Nutritional deficiencies.

Symptoms

Stomatitis symptoms include 

• Pain 

• Stinging

• Soreness presenting with red patches.

• Mouth ulcers 

• Blisters 

• Peeling 

• Swelling 

• Oral dysaesthesia 

• Burning mouth syndrome

• Dehydration.

Ayurvedic View

Mukha paka- this disease affects all parts of the mukha (oral cavity). Here, paka refers to ulceration, due to prakopa (aggravation) of vata, pitta, and kapha dosha vitiates rakta, reaches twak(skin or mucus membrane), resulting in ulceration; this is stomatitis. The Ayurveda way of approach is to correct agni (metabolism), vruna ropana (healing of ulcer), helping prevent further progression of this disease by Ayurvedic treatment (medicines and mukha gata roga chikitsa) focused on oral health.