Stomatitis Stomatitis Stomatitis is inflammation of the mouth and lips. It refers to any inflammatory process affecting the mucous membranes of the mouth and lips, with or without oral ulceration. In its widest meaning, stomatitis can have a multitude of different causes and appearances. Common causes include infections, nutritional deficiencies, allergic reactions, radiotherapy, and many others. When inflammation of the gums and the mouth generally presents itself, sometimes the term "gingivostomatitis" is used, though this is also sometimes used as a synonym for herpetic gingivostomatitis. The term is derived from the Greek "stoma" (), meaning "mouth", and the suffix "-itis" (),
Aphthous stomatitis spicy and acidic foods and beverages. Many different topical and systemic medications have been proposed (see table), sometimes showing little or no evidence of usefulness when formally investigated. Some of the results of interventions for RAS may in truth represent a placebo effect. No therapy is curative, with treatment aiming to relieve pain, promote healing and reduce the frequency of episodes of ulceration. In cases of folate deficiency, daily folic acid (vitamin B9) supplements may prevent or reduce aphthous stomatitis reoccurrence. The first line therapy for aphthous stomatitis is topical agents rather than systemic medication, with topical corticosteroids being the