Notable findings

Question 1

Why is an intra-oral exam important?

Answer 1

• Insight into oral health status of patient
• Early detection of oral diseases
• Detect oral abnormalities
• Early prevention and intervention with malignancies

Question 2

What are notable findings with the border of the lips?

Answer 2

• Changes in shape or texture (fissuring, desquamation, crusts)
• Cracked lips
• Pigment changes
• Irregular vermillion borders
• Lips may not touch

Question 3

What are notable findings within the oral cavity and mucosal surfaces?

Answer 3

• Change in colour
• Swelling
• Trauma
• Lesions
• Pallor, or reddened mucosa
• Non- intact frenulum

Question 4

What are notable findings when palpating the mouth? salivary glands?

Answer 4

• Swellings
• Changes in texture
• Tenderness on palpation
• Minor Salivary glands in the lips feel beady
• Dry tissue
• Non - intact tissue

Question 5

What are notable findings in the floor of the mouth?

Answer 5

• Changes in colour or texture
• Lesions
• Swellings
• Cyst in salivary glands
• Salivary stones within a salivary gland
• Missing caruncle
• Missing frenulum

Question 6

What are notable findings of the tongue?

Answer 6

• Changes in colour or texture
• Geographic tongue
• Swellings
• Ulceration and lesions
• Nodules
• Dry mouth
• Macroglossia
• Ankyloglossia
• Absence of papilla
• No scalloped appearance
• Smooth (normally is bumpy)
• No raised blood vessels