minor ailments of the mouth Flashcards
what is xerostomia
dry mouth
what causes dry mouth
medication, anxiety, dehydration
symptoms of dry mouth
discomfort, halitosis, tooth decay
treatment of dry mouth
sugar free sweets/gum, drinking
when to refer dry mouth
severe case, medication, unknown cause, difficulty swallowing
how to prevent dry mouth
good oral hygiene to protect teeth
what is halitosis
bad breath
what causes halitosis
- dental or other health problems
- foods
- poor oral hygiene
symptoms of halitosis
unpleasant odour
treatment of halitosis
- dental check up
- advice
- antiseptic mouthwash (chlorhexidine)
when to refer for halitosis
when origin is unknown
how to prevent halitosis
- improve oral hygiene
- avoid certain foods
what causes gingivitis
- plaque
- smoking
- diabetes
- medicines
symptoms of gingivitis
- swollen gums
- sore
- bleeding while brushing
treatment of gingivitis
- increase oral hygiene
- dental checks
when to refer for gingivitis
- bleeding
- foul taste
- severe symptoms
how to prevent gingivitis
- brushing/flossing
- mouthwash
- smoking cessation
what are dental caries
tooth decay
what causes dental caries
- plaque
- damage
- sugary foods
symptoms of dental caries
- toothache
- pain (hot and cold food/drinks)
- discolouration
how to treat dental caries
dentist
when to refer for dental caries
all require dental treatment
how to prevent dental caries
diet
hygiene
what causes mouth ulcers
usually unclear, could be
- stress
- injury
- foods
- trauma
- genes
- deficiencies
symptoms of mouth ulcers
small painful sores on tongue, inside of cheeks or inner surface of lips
treatment of mouth ulcers
- analgesic
- mouthwash
how to prevent mouth ulcers
- oral hygiene
- soft tooth brush
- avoid trigger foods
what is oral candidiasis
thrush
causes of oral thrush
- medications
- dentures
- diabetes
- smoking
symptoms of oral thrush
- white
- irregularly shaped patches
- soreness
- altered taste
- burning tongue
how to treat oral thrush
miconazole
when to refer for oral thrush
- 3 weeks
- pain
- no risk factors
- diabetics
- severe
- immunocompromised
how to prevent oral thrush
- hygiene (dentures)
- smoking cessation
- sterilising bottles (babies)
what advice to give on brushing
- twice daily, last thing at night
- fluoride or specialist toothpaste
- correct technique
- flossing
- mouthwash
- dental checks
danger symptoms of oral health (ALWAYS REFER)
- pain
- bleeding
- swallowing difficulties
- dental treatment required
- excessive duration of condition
- medications implicated
symptoms of cold sores
- highly contagious
- presents as blisters around mouth and/or nose
- caused by herpes virus
how long does untreated cold sores last
7-10 days
common causes of cold sores
- stress
- fatigue
- UV light
- reduced resistance following illness
how can cold sores be spread
direct touch, kissing, sharing towels etc
what are the 4 stages of cold sores
- tingle stage
- blister stage
- weeping stage
- scab stage
what happens in the tingle stage
tingle/itch around mouth or nose
what happens in the blister stage of cold sores
small raised blotch which swells and forms a blister
what happens in the weeping stage of cold sores
blisters collapse and join together to form a large weeping sore
what happens in the scab stage of cold sores
scab forms and later falls off
how to treat coldsores
- antiviral cream (apply when first tingle is felt)
- povidone iodine pain (stains skin)
Other
- antiseptics/antibacs
- local anaesthetic for pain
- emollients to soothe dry/cracked skin
should steroid cream be used for cold sores
NO
when to refer for cold sores
if very frequent sufferers
impetigo
red sores with yellow blisters
