MOUTH AND THROAT

• lips


  Muscular folds that surround the mouth. Contain sensory receptors and are verysensitive. Lips assist with eating, expression, and speech
• teeth


  20 deciduous, 32 permanent. Needed for chewing. Also have esthetic value
• deciduous


  primary, milk, temporary or baby teeth
• permanent


  28 if molars did not erupt
• tongue


  Muscle controlled by CN XII – hypoglossal. Needed for chewing, swallowing, and speech. Sensory (taste) CN VII and CN IX (facial &glossopharyngeal)
• hard palate


  Forms the floor of the nasal cavity
• soft palate


  Posterior to hard palate. Elevates during swallowing to prevent food and saliva from entering the nasopharynx.
• uvula


  Fleshy conelike structure in the center of thesoft palate. Prevents food from entering nasal passages
• salivary glands


  Secrete saliva which contains amylase toconvert starch to maltose
• Asymmetry of placement


  • Congenital deformity

  • Trauma

  • Paralysis

  • Surgical Alteration
• Pallor


  • Anemia
• Redness

  • Inflammatory or infectious disorder
• Cyanosis


  • Vasoconstriction or hypoxia
• Lesions


  • Infectious or inflammatory disorder
• Cheilitis


  • inflammation of lips

  • drying and cracking

  • Dehydration

  • Allergy

  • lip licking
• Cheilosis


  • fissures at corners of lips

  • Deficiency of B vitamins

  • maceration related to overclosure
• Halitosis


  • Infections or gastrointestinal problems.

  • Poor oral hygiene
• Chancre


  • Single, painless ulcer of primarysyphilis
• Angioedema


  • Allergic response based on client’sallergic stimulus
• Herpes simplex


  • Herpes viral infection
• Geographic tongue


  map-like appearance on the upper surface and sides of the tongue
• Inspection of the Teeth & Bite

  Deviations from normal:

  Loose, poorly anchored teeth

  ▪ secondary trauma from periodontal

  (gum) disease

  ▪ Bacterial plaque built up on teeth from poor oral hygiene

  o Malalignment

  ▪ early loss of baby or adult teeth

  ▪ improper fit of dental restorations

  ▪ gingivitis

  ▪ undue pressure on the teeth and gums

  ▪ misalignment of the jaw after an injury

  ▪ tumors of the mouth or jaw

  ▪ common oral health problems in children

  o Dental caries

  ▪ caused by the action of acids on the enamel surface

  o Discoloration of teeth

  ▪ Chemicals or medications

  o Mottled enamel
• Gum hyperplasia / Gingival hyperplasia


  Can occur as a direct result of inflammation, often caused by plaque buildup on the teeth from food, bacteria, and poor hygiene practices. The inflammation can make the gums tender and red, and it can trigger bleeding.
• Gum recession


  • Caused by poor dental hygiene, vitamin deficiency, aggressive tooth brushing, or hormonal changes.
• Pale or gray gingivae


  Caused by chronic gingivitis.
• Abrasions, erosion of underlying mucosa


  • Caused by poorly fitted dentures.
• Allergic stomatitis


  Reddened, inflamed oral mucosa, sometimes accompanied by ulcerations.
• Aphthous ulcer


  Benign and non-contagious.
• Cancers


  • Found on the lips, gums, oral mucosa or other areas of the mouth, associated with tobacco use and alcohol abuse.
• Leukoplakia


  White, adherent mucosal thickening, with smoking being the most common cause.
• Inspection of the Tongue

  Deviations from normal:

  o Absence of Papillae

  ▪ reddened mucosa, ulcerations

  ▪ Allergic, inflammatory, or infectious cause

  ▪ Glossitis - occurs when the tongue

  becomes inflamed, due to infections,

  allergic reactions, and injuries, among other causes

  
  

  o Color changes

  ▪ May indicate underlying problems

  ▪ red beefy tongue
• Inspection of the Tongue

  Deviations from normal:

  • Black, hairy tongue
  • ▪ due to antibiotic use for a medical condition
  • ▪ by using products that contain bismuth

  
  

  • Hypertrophy and discoloration of papillae
  • ▪ Poor oral hygiene
  • ▪ Dry mouth
  • ▪ Dehydration
  • ▪ Smoking or other oral tobacco use

  
  

  • Cancers
• The mouth—or oral cavity—is formed by the lips, cheeks, hard and soft palates, uvula, and the tongue and its muscles.
• The mouth is the beginning of the digestive tract and serves as an airway for the respiratory tract.
• The upper and lower lips form the entrance to the mouth, serving as a protective gateway to the digestive and respiratory tracts.
• The roof of the oral cavity is formed by the anterior hard palate and the posterior soft palate. An extension of the soft palate is the uvula, which hangs in the posterior midline of the oropharynx.
• An extension of the soft palate is the uvula, which hangs in the posterior midline of the oropharynx.
• The cheeks form the lateral walls of the mouth, whereas the tongue and its muscles form the floor of the mouth.
• The mandible (jaw bone) provides the structural support for the floor of the mouth.
• Contained within the mouth are the tongue, teeth, gums, and the openings of the salivary glands (parotid, submandibular, and sublingual).