Imagine that something is making the inside of your mouth red and swollen, like a small, painful burn. This is called stomatitis, and it makes simple things like talking or eating really uncomfortable. Stomatitis is the medical term for inflammation of the mouth and lips. It can affect the cheeks, gums, tongue, and roof or floor of the mouth.

When something injures the soft lining of your mouth, like a cut or a burn, your body's natural defense system kicks in and causes inflammation—that's the redness and swelling. This is why almost any kind of damage to your mouth's lining can lead to stomatitis. While many cases aren't serious and heal on their own, knowing the signs can help you identify the problem.

There are two common types of stomatitis:

-          Canker sores: These are small, painful ulcers that are a pale yellow or white color with a red ring around them. You usually find them inside your mouth on your cheeks, tongue, or lips.

-          Cold sores: These are fluid-filled blisters that pop up alone or in groups, typically on your lips or around your mou.

Causes of stomatitis:

Sometimes Irritants [E.g.: Alcohols, tobacco, spicy foods], Allergic reactions, Autoimmune conditions [E.g.: Lichens planus], Medications [Side effects of medications or cancer treatments] can also cause mouth ulcers

The main symptoms of mouth ulcers are:

-          Redness, swelling

-          Pain or burning sensations

-          Ulcers or sores

-          Difficulty eating, speaking, or swallowing

Treatment:

Treatment for stomatitis depends upon what’s causing it. The only way to cure stomatitis is to treat or manage the issue that’s creating problem

-          Treat underlying cause

-          Good oral hygiene

-          Mouth rinses [ Saltwater, antiseptic]

-          Pain relief [Topical anaesthetics, anti-inflammatories]

-          Nutritional supplements if needed

Diet:

-          Have foods rich in zinc- sea foods, nuts, whole grains, cereals and dairy products

-          Have foods rich in Vit- B12 – cheese, eggs, milk, fish, meat, yogurt etc.

Ayurvedic perspective on stomatitis:

Ayurveda, calls mouth ulcers Mukhapaka.

-          Mukha means mouth and Paka means an ulcer.

What Causes Them?

According to Ayurveda, mouth ulcers are caused by eating too many foods that are:

-          Dry (E.g.: Popcorn, crackers, and puffed rice)

-          Light (E.g.: Gassy veggies, dry fried millets)

-          Rough (E.g.: Raw broccoli, cabbage)

-          Spicy (E.g.: Excessive spicy dishes, packed foods, mustard)

Eating these foods excessively increases Pitta (the heat factor) in your stomach and mouth, which then leads to these painful ulcers.

How to Treat Them

The treatment for Mukhapaka depends on how severe the ulcers are:

-          For severe or long-lasting ulcers, Ayurveda recommends cleansing treatments. A gentle flush of the body once a month can help reduce the heat that builds up inside, which is often a cause of these ulcers.

-          For mild or new ulcers, the treatment focuses on local applications and using cooling substances (sheetala dravya) to soothe the area and body.

This often includes:

-          Gargling with special herb based mouthwashes (Kavala).

-          Holding medicinal liquids in the mouth (Gandusha).

To help you heal completely and to stop the ulcers from coming back, you might also be given special medicines like Chyawanaprash and Amlaki Rasayana. These are meant to rejuvenate and strengthen your body.

Dr. Shemily Sankar T S [BAMS]

Medical officer

Dr. P. Alikutty’s Ayurveda and Modern Hospital – Kottakkal

Check out these products from Dr. P. Alikutty’s Ayurveda Pharmaceuticals – Kottakkal that help with mouth ulcers

MouthClear Paste

MouthClear Powder

Ayursept
Curcumin Tablet