Keywords
Key points
- •The most common infection and disease of the mouth is caries. Caries is a chronic, transmissible disease caused by bacteria using sugar to create an acidic environment that erodes the teeth.
- •Candidiasis is an infection of the oral mucosa by the Candida species. The most prominent candida infection in humans is Candida albicans.
- •Approximately 50% of children will have some form of gingivitis; for adults, it is as much as 90% when all types and causes are included. Gingivitis is very prevalent during pregnancy due to hormonal changes.
- •Benign bony protuberances arise from the cortical plate and consist of lamellar bone. They are more common in the hard palate of the mouth but can also occur in the floor of the mouth. They are likely congenital but do not develop until adulthood.
- •Clinicians should pay close attention to a history of nonhealing ulcer or mass in the mouth or on the lip, or any area that bleeds easily or has unexplained pain. Other concerning symptoms for oral cancer may include dysphagia/odynophagia, chronic sore throat or hoarseness, or unexplained ear pain.
Introduction
- 1.Mouth infections (caries and complications, candidiasis)
- 2.Inflammatory conditions (gingivitis, periodontitis, and stomatitis)
- 3.Common benign and malignant lesions (bony tori, mucocele, lichen planus, leukoplakia, cancer).
Infections of the mouth
Caries
Description
Risk factors
- Previous caries
- High oral bacterial counts (mainly S mutans)
- Inadequate oral hygiene (brushing with fluoridated toothpaste and flossing)
- Inadequate exposure to fluoride
- Frequent consumption of sugary foods, snacks, and drinks
- Low socioeconomic status
- Physical or mental disabilities (making it difficult to brush/floss)
- Existing appliances (trapping food)
- Decreased salivary flow (due to medications or disease states)
- Exposed roots (in elderly due to lack of enamel on roots)
Prevalence
Clinical implications
Diagnostic options and dilemmas
Management
- Robinson P.G.
- Deacon S.A.
- Deery C.
- et al.
Candidiasis
Description

Risk factors
Prevalence
Oral candidiasis statistics. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Division of Foodborne, Waterborne, and Environmental Diseases. Available at: www.cdc.gov/fungal/candidiasis/thrush/statistics.html. Accessed February 20, 2013.
Clinical implications
Diagnostic options and dilemmas
Management
Inflammatory conditions of the mouth
Gingivitis
Description

Risk factors
- Poor dental hygiene/plaque formation
- Eruption of primary or secondary teeth
- Dental appliances (dentures, braces)
- Malocclusion or dental crowding
- Faulty dental restoration
- Pregnancy
- Uncontrolled diabetes mellitus
- Smoking
- Mouth breathing
- Medications (gingival overgrowth): phenytoin, calcium channel blockers, cyclosporine
- Viral illness
- HIV-positive, AIDS
- Stress; lack of sleep
- Hospitalization
- Malnutrition
- Vitamin C deficiency (scurvy); coenzyme Q10 deficiency
- Possible genetic link (up to 30% of population)
- Hereditary gingival fibromatosis (rare)
Prevalence
Clinical implications
Diagnostic options and dilemmas
Management
Periodontitis
Description
Risk factors
Prevalence
Clinical implications
Diagnostic options and dilemmas
Management
- Eberhard J.
- Jepsen S.
- Jervøe-Storm P.M.
- et al.
Stomatitis
Description
Risk factors
Prevalence

Clinical implications
Complications
Diagnostic options and dilemmas
Management
- Acetaminophen or ibuprofen as primary agents for analgesia
- 2% viscous lidocaine (swish and spit)
- Liquid diphenhydramine (swish and spit) for allergic stomatitis
- Silver nitrate, 1 application until lesion is white32
- Topical steroid (Kenalog) in Orabase 3‐4 times daily
- Dexamethasone ointment 3 times daily33
- Miracle mouth rinses: various combinations of the following in equal parts (swish and spit) multiple times daily:
- Maalox or Mylanta, diphenhydramine, lidocaine
- Maalox or Mylanta, diphenhydramine, Carafate
- Nystatin, diphenhydramine, hydrocortisone
Common lesions of the mouth
Bony Tori
Description

Risk factors
Prevalence
Clinical implications
Diagnostic options and dilemmas
Management
Mucocele
Description

Risk factors
Prevalence
Clinical implications
Diagnostic options and dilemmas
Management
Lichen Planus
Description

Risk factors
Prevalence
Clinical implications
Diagnostic options and dilemmas
Management
- Thongprasom K.
- Carrozzo M.
- Furness S.
- et al.
Leukoplakia (and Erythroplakia)
Description

Risk factors
Prevalence
Clinical implications
Diagnostic options and dilemmas
Management
Oral Cancer
Description
Risk factors
Prevalence
Clinical implications
Complications
Diagnostic options and dilemmas
Management
Summary
References
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