Overview of oral mucositis

Oral mucositis presents as painful inflammation, redness, swelling and ulceration of the oral mucosal surfaces caused by radiotherapy, chemotherapy or other drugs. Oral mucositis is a type of stomatitis (an inflammatory condition of the oral tissues). Other causes of stomatitis include salivary gland hypofunction (see Dry mouth) and vitamin deficiencies. Take a thorough history and examination to identify the cause.

Oral mucositis can lead to significant problems with eating, drinking and adherence to medication. Patients undergoing treatment of cancer who develop mucositis have an increased risk of systemic infection and require longer hospital admissions.

Patients should be dentally fit before starting chemotherapy or head and neck radiotherapy, particularly if the treatment will result in severe mucositis and reduced salivary flow. For more information on the dental management of patients receiving chemotherapy or head and neck radiotherapy, see Chemotherapy: dental considerations and Head and neck radiotherapy: dental consderations.