Gingivostomatitis: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Medically reviewed by Harsha Moole, MD, Internal Medicine. Last reviewed: October 23, 2026.
What kind of doctor treats Gingivostomatitis?
A pediatrician (a doctor who cares for children) or a primary care doctor usually starts with an exam of the mouth. A dentist can also check mouth sores. A direct primary care or concierge doctor can be a first stop for an evaluation and can refer you to a specialist when needed.
What is gingivostomatitis?
Gingivostomatitis is an infection of the mouth and gums that leads to swelling and sores. It is common among children.
It may be caused by a virus or bacteria. The sores can be mild or severe. They can be very painful, which makes eating and drinking hard.
Symptoms
Symptoms can be mild or severe. They may include:
- Sores on the inside of the cheeks or gums.
- Fever.
- Bad breath.
- Feeling unwell, also called malaise.
- A very sore mouth with no desire to eat.
- Difficulty swallowing.
The sores often get better in 2 or 3 weeks.
Causes and who gets it
Gingivostomatitis may occur after infection with herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1). This is the same virus that causes cold sores. A coxsackie virus can also cause it.
It may occur in people with poor oral hygiene, which means not caring well for the teeth and gums. Herpes spreads easily. It can pass from one child to another. An adult with a cold sore can also pass it to a child.
How doctors diagnose it
Most of the time, no special tests are needed. A health care provider checks the mouth for small sores. The provider may take a swab from a sore to look for a viral or bacterial infection. This is called a culture.
A biopsy, which is a small tissue sample, may be done to rule out other types of mouth ulcers.
Treatment
The goal of treatment is to reduce symptoms. The sores often get better in 2 or 3 weeks, with or without treatment.
Home care may help:
- Brush your gums well. Good mouth care can reduce the risk of another infection.
- Rinse your mouth with salt water.
- Use mouth rinses that reduce pain if your provider recommends them.
- Eat soft, bland (non-spicy) foods.
- Drink cool, noncarbonated, nonacidic drinks such as water. Dehydration can occur quickly in children.
Numbing medicine needs care. Lidocaine can numb all feeling in the mouth. This can make it hard to swallow. It can also lead to burns from hot food or to choking.
A provider may prescribe an antiviral medicine such as acyclovir, which fights the virus. Antibiotics may be needed. The dentist may need to remove infected tissue. This is called debridement.
When to see a doctor
Contact your provider if you have mouth sores and fever or other signs of illness. Contact your provider if mouth sores get worse or do not respond to treatment within 3 weeks. Contact your provider if your child develops a fever followed by a sore mouth and stops eating and drinking, because a child can quickly become dehydrated.
Call 911 or go to the emergency room if you have trouble breathing, or swelling of the face, eyes, or tongue. Also go right away if mouth sores come with eye pain, redness, or vision changes. Herpes that spreads to the eye is an emergency and can lead to blindness.
How a direct primary care or concierge doctor fits in
A direct primary care doctor charges a flat monthly fee instead of billing insurance, while a concierge doctor usually charges more and often works alongside insurance. Either can check mouth sores, follow up if they do not get better, and refer you to a dentist or specialist when needed.
Common questions
Is gingivostomatitis contagious?
Yes, the virus can spread easily. Herpes can pass from one child to another. An adult with a cold sore can also pass the virus to a child.
How long does it last?
It often lasts 2 or 3 weeks. The sores often get better in that time, with or without treatment. Contact your provider if the sores get worse or do not respond to treatment within 3 weeks.
Is it serious?
It can be. The condition ranges from mild to severe, and the sores can be very painful. It can also hide other, more serious mouth ulcers, so a doctor should check them.
Can it be prevented?
Only in part. There is little you can do to prevent a child from picking up the virus, but a child should avoid close contact with people who have cold sores. Good mouth care may reduce the risk of infection, and poor oral hygiene can raise it.
Sources
Medical Disclaimer
This content is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and reading it does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about a medical condition, and never disregard or delay seeking professional advice because of something you read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately.
