What is the definition of 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.

What are the causes for Gingivostomatitis?

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.

What are the symptoms for Gingivostomatitis?

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

What are the current treatments for Gingivostomatitis?

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).

What is the outlook (prognosis) for Gingivostomatitis?

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.

What are the possible complications for Gingivostomatitis?

Gingivostomatitis may disguise other, more serious mouth ulcers.

When should I contact a medical professional for Gingivostomatitis?

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

REFERENCES

Christian JM, Goddard AC, Gillespie MB. Deep neck and odontogenic infections. In: Flint PW, Haughey BH, Lund V, et al, eds. Cummings Otolaryngology: Head and Neck Surgery. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2015:chap 10.

Romero JR, Modlin JF. Coxsackieviruses, echoviruses, and numbered enteroviruses (EV-D68). In: Bennett JE, Dolin R, Blaser MJ, eds. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases, Updated Edition. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2015:chap 174.

Schiffer JT, Corey L. Herpes simplex virus. In: Bennett JE, Dolin R, Blaser MJ, eds. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases, Updated Edition. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2015:chap 138.

Shaw J. Infections of the oral cavity. In: Long SS, Prober CG, Fischer M, eds. Principles and Practice of Pediatric Infectious Diseases. 5th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2018:chap 25.