minor ailments of the mouth

Question 1

what is xerostomia

Answer 1

dry mouth

Question 2

what causes dry mouth

Answer 2

medication, anxiety, dehydration

Question 3

symptoms of dry mouth

Answer 3

discomfort, halitosis, tooth decay

Question 4

treatment of dry mouth

Answer 4

sugar free sweets/gum, drinking

Question 5

when to refer dry mouth

Answer 5

severe case, medication, unknown cause, difficulty swallowing

Question 6

how to prevent dry mouth

Answer 6

good oral hygiene to protect teeth

Question 7

what is halitosis

Answer 7

bad breath

Question 8

what causes halitosis

Answer 8

• dental or other health problems
• foods
• poor oral hygiene

Question 9

symptoms of halitosis

Answer 9

unpleasant odour

Question 10

treatment of halitosis

Answer 10

• dental check up
• advice
• antiseptic mouthwash (chlorhexidine)

Question 11

when to refer for halitosis

Answer 11

when origin is unknown

Question 12

how to prevent halitosis

Answer 12

• improve oral hygiene
• avoid certain foods

Question 13

what causes gingivitis

Answer 13

• plaque
• smoking
• diabetes
• medicines

Question 14

symptoms of gingivitis

Answer 14

• swollen gums
• sore
• bleeding while brushing

Question 15

treatment of gingivitis

Answer 15

• increase oral hygiene
• dental checks

Question 16

when to refer for gingivitis

Answer 16

• bleeding
• foul taste
• severe symptoms

Question 17

how to prevent gingivitis

Answer 17

• brushing/flossing
• mouthwash
• smoking cessation

Question 18

what are dental caries

Answer 18

tooth decay

Question 19

what causes dental caries

Answer 19

• plaque
• damage
• sugary foods

Question 20

symptoms of dental caries

Answer 20

• toothache
• pain (hot and cold food/drinks)
• discolouration

Question 21

how to treat dental caries

Answer 21

dentist

Question 22

when to refer for dental caries

Answer 22

all require dental treatment

Question 23

how to prevent dental caries

Answer 23

diet
hygiene

Question 24

what causes mouth ulcers

Answer 24

usually unclear, could be
- stress
- injury
- foods
- trauma
- genes
- deficiencies

Question 25

symptoms of mouth ulcers

Answer 25

small painful sores on tongue, inside of cheeks or inner surface of lips

Question 26

treatment of mouth ulcers

Answer 26

- analgesic - mouthwash

Question 27

how to prevent mouth ulcers

Answer 27

- oral hygiene - soft tooth brush - avoid trigger foods

Question 28

what is oral candidiasis

Answer 28

thrush

Question 29

causes of oral thrush

Answer 29

- medications - dentures - diabetes - smoking

Question 30

symptoms of oral thrush

Answer 30

- white - irregularly shaped patches - soreness - altered taste - burning tongue

Question 31

how to treat oral thrush

Answer 31

miconazole

Question 32

when to refer for oral thrush

Answer 32

- 3 weeks - pain - no risk factors - diabetics - severe - immunocompromised

Question 33

how to prevent oral thrush

Answer 33

- hygiene (dentures) - smoking cessation - sterilising bottles (babies)

Question 34

what advice to give on brushing

Answer 34

- twice daily, last thing at night - fluoride or specialist toothpaste - correct technique - flossing - mouthwash - dental checks

Question 35

danger symptoms of oral health (ALWAYS REFER)

Answer 35

- pain - bleeding - swallowing difficulties - dental treatment required - excessive duration of condition - medications implicated

Question 36

symptoms of cold sores

Answer 36

- highly contagious - presents as blisters around mouth and/or nose - caused by herpes virus

Question 37

how long does untreated cold sores last

Answer 37

7-10 days

Question 38

common causes of cold sores

Answer 38

- stress - fatigue - UV light - reduced resistance following illness

Question 39

how can cold sores be spread

Answer 39

direct touch, kissing, sharing towels etc

Question 40

what are the 4 stages of cold sores

Answer 40

- tingle stage - blister stage - weeping stage - scab stage

Question 41

what happens in the tingle stage

Answer 41

tingle/itch around mouth or nose

Question 42

what happens in the blister stage of cold sores

Answer 42

small raised blotch which swells and forms a blister

Question 43

what happens in the weeping stage of cold sores

Answer 43

blisters collapse and join together to form a large weeping sore

Question 44

what happens in the scab stage of cold sores

Answer 44

scab forms and later falls off

Question 45

how to treat coldsores

Answer 45

- antiviral cream, eg ACICLOVIR (apply when first tingle is felt) - povidone iodine pain (stains skin) Other - antiseptics/antibacs - local anaesthetic for pain - emollients to soothe dry/cracked skin

Question 46

should steroid cream be used for cold sores

Answer 46

NO

Question 47

when to refer for cold sores

Answer 47

if very frequent sufferers

Question 48

impetigo

Answer 48

red sores with yellow blisters

Question 49

how to treat impetigo

Answer 49

- fucidin cream - hydrogen peroxide