Management of diseases of oral soft tissues in children

The clinical features, diagnostic considerations and recommended management for selected viral diseases, aphthae and decreased host resistance diseases affecting the oral cavities of young persons are presented. Viral diseases frequently present as subclassic disease manifested as transient gingivitis with little or no evidence of infection. Such viral diseases should be treated with general supportive care. Antibiotics and surgical procedures are contraindicated. Recommended treatment for aphthae includes topical and systemic steroids and, in patients with delayed healing and scarring, topical tetracycline hydrochloride. Patients with decreased host resistance, regardless of cause, have similar oral disease manifestations which are characterized by gingivitis, mucosal ulcers and, in chronic cases, periodontitis. Oral therapeutic management must be directed toward controlling and reducing the microbial flora. Oral hygiene, topical tetracycline hydrochloride and topical nystatin are recommended for treatment.