Some Causes of Stomatitis

Bacterial infections

Actinomycosis*

Acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis

Gonorrhea

Syphilis, primary or secondary

Tuberculosis*

Fungal infections

Blastomycosis*

Candidal infections (most common)

Coccidioidomycosis*

Cryptococcosis*

Mucormycosis* (more common in people with diabetes)

Viral infections

Herpes simplex infection, primary (mostly in young children)

Herpes simplex infection, secondary (cold sores on the lips or palate)

Varicella zoster, primary (chickenpox)

Varicella zoster reactivation (shingles)*

Others (eg, infection by coxsackievirus, cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr virus, or HIV; condyloma acuminata; influenza; rubeola)

Systemic disorders

Behçet syndrome

Celiac disease

Cyclic neutropenia*

Erythema multiforme

Folate deficiency

Inflammatory bowel disease

Iron deficiency

Kawasaki disease

Leukemia

Pemphigoid, pemphigus vulgaris

Platelet disorders

Stevens-Johnson syndrome

Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura*

Vitamin B deficiency (pellagra)

Vitamin C deficiency (scurvy)

Vitamin B12 deficiency

Zinc deficiency

Drugs

Antibiotics*

Antiseizure medications*

Barbiturates*

Chemotherapeutic agents

Gold*

Iodides*

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)*

Physical irritation

Dentures that fit poorly

Broken or jagged teeth

Habitual cheek or lip biting

Irritants, and allergens

Acidic foods

Nickel or palladium (in dental appliances)

Dyes, acid fumes, heavy metals, or metal or mineral dusts (via occupational exposure)

Tobacco (nicotinic stomatitis, particularly pipe smoker’s palate [hyperkeratotic palate with red dots at the openings of minor salivary glands])

Type IV hypersensitivity reaction (eg, to ingredients in toothpaste such as sodium lauryl sulfate, mouthwash, candy, gum, dyes, or lipstick)

Other

Lichen planus

Recurrent aphthous stomatitis (most commonly, minor aphthae)

Head and neck radiation