Catarrhal glossitis is a disease that accompanies such diseases as deep caries, teething and stomatitis. It is manifested by acute inflammation of the tongue. The disease develops due to the ingress of infectious pathogens into the damaged epithelial layers of the oral cavity.
Symptoms of the disease
The very first signs of catarrhal glossitis in children are burning and moderate pain in the tongue. Pain may increase during eating and talking. The tongue itself swells, and teeth imprints remain on its sides. On the second and third days of the disease, a thick layer of plaque is formed on the back of the tongue, consisting of exudate and a dying epithelial layer.
There are cases when a small patient's tongue swells to such an extent that it becomes difficult for him to drink, speak and eat. Salivation increases, taste atrophies and papillae increase in size. Also, spots of grayish, then red color are formed on the tongue, and yellow ridges appear between them. The spots move along the tongue and change their shape.
Causes of the disease
Various factors cause catarrhal glossitis. An infectious component is also always present - staphylococcus or streptococcus. Diseases in children are caused by caries, dental deposits, trauma to the tongue, poisoning with salts of heavy metals, diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, acute respiratory infections, influenza and allergic reactions. In babies, glossitis can develop due to difficulty in teething. Also, non-observance of hygiene and the presence of sharp edges of dentures, fillings and teeth develop an inflammatory process of the tongue.
Treatment of catarrhal glossitis
Therapy of the disease begins with the elimination of the cause of inflammation of the tongue. To correct fillings, eliminate caries and correct dentures, you need to contact your dentist. It is imperative to observe oral hygiene.
In the case of concomitant diseases, you should undergo their thorough complex treatment with the use of physiotherapy, drugs and immunity-raising agents.
At home, frequent rinsing, application and treatment of the tongue surface with broths of sage, chamomile, calendula, chlorhexidine and baking soda solution will help relieve inflammation and alleviate the condition. In case of severe pain, it is required to treat the surface of the tongue with a solution of lidocaine.
To eliminate the acute symptoms of the disease, 3-5 days are enough. If the inflammatory process is strong, and pathogenic bacteria are identified, the doctor prescribes antibiotics. With untimely therapy, a purulent form of catarrhal glossitis develops, the formation of abscesses and phlegmon begins. In such cases, surgical treatment is required.
