Learn About Gingivostomatitis
Gingivostomatitis is an infection of the mouth and gums that leads to swelling and sores. It may be due to a virus or bacteria.
Gingivostomatitis is common among children. It may occur after infection with the herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), which also causes cold sores.
The condition may also occur after infection with a coxsackie virus.
It may occur in people with poor oral hygiene.
The symptoms can be mild or severe and may include:
- Bad breath
- Fever
- General discomfort, uneasiness, or ill feeling (malaise)
- Sores on the inside of the cheeks or gums
- Very sore mouth with no desire to eat
The goal of treatment is to reduce symptoms.
Things you can do at home include:
- Practice good oral hygiene. Brush your gums well to reduce the risk of getting another infection.
- Use mouth rinses that reduce pain if your provider recommends them.
- Rinse your mouth with salt water (one-half teaspoon or 3 grams of salt in 1 cup or 240 milliliters of water) or mouthwashes with hydrogen peroxide or Xylocaine to ease discomfort.
- Eat a healthy diet. Soft, bland (non-spicy) foods may reduce discomfort during eating.
You may need to take antibiotics.
You may need to have the infected tissue removed by the dentist (called debridement).
Oral Oncology
Crispian Scully is in London, United Kingdom. Scully is rated as a Distinguished expert by MediFind in the treatment of Gingivostomatitis. They are also highly rated in 32 other conditions, according to our data. Their top areas of expertise are Herpetic Stomatitis, Mouth Ulcers, Mouth Sores, and Canker Sore.
University Of Melbourne
Sandy Hopper is in Melbourne, Australia. Hopper is rated as a Distinguished expert by MediFind in the treatment of Gingivostomatitis. She is also highly rated in 8 other conditions, according to our data. Her top areas of expertise are Urinary Tract Infection in Children, Herpetic Stomatitis, Periorbital Cellulitis, and Gingivostomatitis.
University Hospital Center Sestre Milosrdnice
Liborija Mihic-Lugovic is in Zagreb, Croatia. Mihic-Lugovic is rated as a Distinguished expert by MediFind in the treatment of Gingivostomatitis. They are also highly rated in 7 other conditions, according to our data. Their top areas of expertise are Perioral Dermatitis, Gingivostomatitis, Burning Mouth Syndrome, and Contact Dermatitis.
Gingivostomatitis infections range from mild to severe and painful. The sores often get better in 2 or 3 weeks with or without treatment. Treatment may reduce discomfort and speed healing.
Gingivostomatitis may disguise other, more serious mouth ulcers.
Call your provider if:
- You have mouth sores and fever or other signs of illness
- Mouth sores get worse or do not respond to treatment within 3 weeks
- You develop swelling in the mouth
Published Date: February 01, 2021
Published By: Josef Shargorodsky, MD, MPH, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
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