Oral, Tongue, and Mouth Disorders Flashcards
What is the primary result of poor dentition?
chronic inflammation
What can the chronic inflammation due to poor dentition lead to/complicate?
diabetes heart disease failure to thrive at all ages pregnancy problems oral and gastric cancers
List three primary risk factors for oral illness?
medications
smoking/drinking/meth
peircings
In what age group can cavities be prevented?
ALL
What presenting symptoms in oral illness are especially bad?
white and brown spots
What is most effective at preventing oral illness and maintaining oral health?
topical fluoride
What two situations are dental emergencies?
knocked out permanent tooth
cellulitis
What is Oral Candidiasis?
Thrush
overgrowth of fungus Candida albicans in the mouth
fairly common, but can signal an underlying disease
What is Candida albicans?
a fungus that has a normal presence in the mouth, but whose overgrowth can cause problems
Where is Oral Candidiasis most often seen?
infants
debilitated patients with poor dental hygiene/denture care
uncontrolled diabetes
anemia
patients undergoing chemotherapy or head/neck radiation
those taking corticosteroid medications (improper inhaler use)
those taking broad-spectrum antibiotics
Why is Oral Candidiasis important to identify in adults?
Oral Candidiasis in adults is a sign of immunocompromise; if there is no reason for immunocomprimise, they need to be worked up for HIV or other causes of immunocompromise
What is the key physical exam finding of Oral Candidiasis?
white patches that can be easily rubbed off with a gloved finger or tongue depressor
What are symptoms of Oral Candidiasis?
painful, creamy-white patches overlying erythematous (angry red) mucosa
How is Oral Candidiasis diagnosed?
clinically
wet-prep mount can be done with potassium hydroxide - will reveal spores and may show non-septate mycella
How is Oral Candidiasis treated in adults?
oral flucanazole, ketoconazole, clotrimazole (small lozenge between cheek and gum), nystatin mouth rinses
What do -azoles generally signify?
antifungal medications
How is Oral Candidiasis treated in infants?
nystatin liquid applied directly to affected area; check breastfeeding mother
How are HIV patients or immunocompromised patients with Oral Candidiasis treated?
longer courses of treatment may be needed
itraconazole or voriconazole
What is Leukoplakia?
white lesion in the mouth that CANNOT be removed by rubbing the mucosal surface; often hyperkeratosis (thickening of skin) due to irritation; squamous cell carcinoma in 2% of cases!
In what groups is Leukoplakia most often found?
males over the age of 45
smokers
alcoholics
What are symptoms of Leukoplakia?
can range from flat, translucent white patch in the early stages to slightly elevated plaque with granular texture
late-stage - thickened lesion with fissuring and underlying erythema
CANNOT be removed form surface
What should you look out for if a patient has Leukoplakia?
2% of cases are cancerous, so any leukplakic area that is enlarging or has mucosal depth shoudl be incisioned and biopsied to rule out cancer. Have a specialist evaluate so that you don’t miss cancer.