Stomatitis

Stomatitis is an inflammation of the mucous lining of any of the structures in the mouth, which may involve the cheeks, gums, tongue, lips, throat, and roof or floor of the mouth. The inflammation can be caused by conditions in the mouth itself, such as poor oral hygiene, poorly fitted dentures, or from mouth burns from hot food or drinks, or by conditions that affect the entire body, such as medications, allergic reactions, or infections. A form of stomatitis known as stomatitis nicotina can be caused by smoking cigars, cigarettes, and pipes, and is characterized by small red bumps on the roof of the mouth.

When it also involves an inflammation of the gingiva, it is called gingivostomatitis.

Angular stomatitis
Irritation and fissuring in the corners of the lips is termed angular stomatits or angular cheilitis. In children a frequent cause is repeated lip-licking and in adults it may be a sign of underlying iron deficiency anemia, or vitamin B deficiencis (e.g. B2-riboflavin, B9-folate or B12-cobalamins), which in turn may be evidence of poor diets or malnutrition (e.g. celiac disease).

Complete Differential Diagnosis for Stomatitis
In alphabetical order.


 * Aphthous stomatitis
 * Behçet's Syndrome
 * Cancers
 * Chronic granulomatous disease
 * Gangrenous stomatitis
 * Infectious stomatitis
 * Lichen planus
 * Stevens-Johnson Syndrome
 * Vitamin C deficiency