Diagnosis

To diagnose gingivostomatitis, healthcare providers will conduct an oral exam to determine if there are ulcers, blisters, swelling, or bleeding in the mouth. This physical exam is typically enough to reach a diagnosis.

However, since the ulcers that develop are hard to distinguish from those that occur with other types of infections, a small tissue sample may be taken from one of the sores. The tissue sample will be examined in a lab culture to see what type of infection is causing it.