Money Today Reporter Jeong Sim-gyo | 2023.11.11 13:00
Health Technology: Advancing Healthcare for an Aging Population
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Ahn Joong-hyeon, the director of Irom Dental Clinic, sheds light on common mouth inflammations and provides insight into their causes and treatments.
Stomatitis, a common mouth inflammation, can be particularly annoying and uncomfortable. The most frequently encountered types of stomatitis are ‘recurrent aphthous stomatitis’ and ‘herpes infection’ (herpes simplex). These two conditions have similar appearances, making it challenging to differentiate between them.
Recurrent aphthous stomatitis, the most common type of ulcer, typically heals naturally within 7 to 10 days without requiring specific treatment. However, if accompanied by pain, treatment to alleviate discomfort may be necessary. The causes of recurrent aphthous stomatitis remain unclear, but it is often associated with stress, severe fatigue, hormonal changes, or a deficiency in nutrients such as vitamin B12. Adequate rest and proper nutrition can help reduce the occurrence of ulcers.
On the other hand, herpes infection is caused by the herpes simplex virus. It generally heals naturally within 10 to 14 days and may not necessitate specific treatment. Getting sufficient rest, maintaining oral hygiene, and consuming adequate vitamin C can aid in recovery.
Distinguishing between recurrent aphthous stomatitis and herpes infection is crucial. The ‘event site’ and contagious nature of these conditions, along with differentiation of symptoms, should be considered. The treatment methods for these two types of stomatitis also differ, with aphthous stomatitis sometimes requiring the use of drugs containing steroids and herpes infections benefiting from antiviral drugs.
If an ulcer persists for more than two weeks, it is important to consult a dentist to investigate the underlying cause. In some cases, the inflammation may be related to dental prosthetics or, in more serious instances, oral cancer.
In conclusion, proper understanding and differentiation of these mouth inflammations are crucial for effective treatment. This informative article provides valuable insights into the causes, symptoms, and treatment methods for recurrent aphthous stomatitis and herpes infection, serving as a guide for individuals seeking relief from these discomforts.
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Money Today Reporter Jeong Sim-gyo | 2023.11.11 13:00
‘health technology’ healthcare in the aging age (122)
Editor’s note | Money Today publishes a series on ‘Health Tech’, healthcare in an aging age. We will provide health care tips when you are 100 years old getting older.
Ahn Joong-hyeon, director of Irom Dental Clinic. External Contributor – Joong-Hyeon Ahn, Director of Irom Dental Clinic Everyone has experienced mouth inflammation. Stomatitis is that common, but once it happens, it’s pretty annoying and causes a lot of discomfort until it goes away.
There are different types of inflammation in the mouth, but the most common stomatitis seen among patients who visit the dentist is ‘recurrent aphthous stomatitis’ and ‘herpes infection’, namely herpes simplex. These two have different causes and treatments, but the appearance in the mouth is similar, so it is not easy to distinguish them.
Recurrent aphthous stomatitis is the most common type of ulcer. No special treatment is required as most cases heal naturally within 7 to 10 days, but if accompanied by pain, treatment is usually taken to reduce it. No cause has been clearly identified. However, recurrent aphthous stomatitis can occur when exposed to stress, severe fatigue, hormonal changes, or lack of nutrients such as vitamin B12. Therefore, getting enough rest and replenishing nutrients helps reduce the incidence of ulcers.
On the other hand, a herpes infection is caused by an infection with the herpes simplex virus. It heals naturally after 10 to 14 days and generally does not require special treatment. Getting enough rest, keeping your mouth clean, and eating enough vitamin C will help you recover.
So what is the difference between regular aphthous stomatitis and herpes infection?
First of all, the ‘event site’ is different. Aphthous stomatitis mainly occurs in soft areas such as the lips, inside the cheek, and oral mucosa, but herpes infection is different as it also occurs in hard areas such as the palate and gums , that is, keratinized tissue. Lesions that appear on the roof of the mouth or on the gums near the teeth are most likely a herpes infection.
The second is ‘is it contagious’. Aphthous stomatitis is not contagious. However, herpes infection is contagious, so contact with an infected person can cause another infection. You may need to quarantine. In particular, it is better for children to rest at home to avoid infecting other children at school or daycare.
The third is ‘differentiation of symptoms’. Aphthous stomatitis only causes ulcers with no other symptoms, but a herpes infection can initially show cold-like symptoms. Along with an itchy sensation, blisters form and burst, causing ulcers.
The treatment methods for these two types of stomatitis are also different. Aphthous stomatitis and herpes infections are cured naturally, but sometimes medicines are used to speed up recovery during the process. For aphthous stomatitis, drugs containing steroids are used to relieve symptoms, and for herpes infections, antiviral drugs are used to eliminate viruses. Antiviral drugs are most effective when used before blisters appear. You usually feel itchy before the blisters form, so it’s a good idea to use the medicine then. If you mistake a herpes infection for aphthous stomatitis and use steroids, you should be careful as this can weaken your immune system and cause the virus to spread further.
Aphthous stomatitis and herpes infection heal naturally within two weeks. So, if an ulcer in one area does not go away for more than two weeks, you should check to see if there is another cause. The ulcer can be caused by inflammation from the prosthesis used for dental treatment. In particular, if oral cancer is suspected, a biopsy may be necessary, so you should visit the dentist to check the cause.
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