Mouth sores in a child (stomatitis)
stomatitis · mouth ulcers in a child · canker sores · sores in the mouth
These are painful sores or white patches in a child's mouth. The doctor looks for the cause and chooses the treatment.
When a child complains of mouth pain, eats poorly, and sores are visible on the tongue, cheeks or gums.
⏱ Duration: the visit usually takes 15 to 30 minutes; sores usually heal in 1 to 2 weeks
Be sure to tell your doctor
How to prepare
- Drinks. Before the visit, give your child drinks more often, in small sips.
- Food. Offer soft, cool food with nothing sour or salty.
What to bring
- Your child's document
- A list of medicines already given
How it goes
- The doctor asks how the symptoms started
- Looks at the mouth, tongue, gums and throat
- Sometimes checks the skin and takes the temperature
- Explains how to treat the mouth and what to give for pain
- Says when to come back
What you'll feel
- The exam usually does not hurt, but your child may not like opening the mouth
- Eating and drinking hurts, especially sour and hot things
Afterwards
- Offer drinks often, even little by little
- Soft, cool food, nothing sour, spicy or hot
- Separate dishes and towel for your child
- Treat the mouth as the doctor prescribed
Contact a doctor straight away if
- Your child hardly drinks, passes urine rarely, is limp
- Fever above 38 lasts several days
- Sores do not heal after more than 2 weeks, or there are more and more
Common questions
Is it contagious?
Sometimes. It depends on the cause. The doctor will say whether to keep other children away.
Can my child go to kindergarten?
Usually not while your child is sick and has a fever. Ask the doctor.