Oral Medicine: Healthy Mouth Quiz

Objectives

• Recognize and describe oral tissues in both health and disease.
• Differentiate between healthy and diseased gingiva by identifying oral cavity features.

Buccal Mucosa

• Location of Stenson's duct, facilitating saliva flow into the mouth.
• Leukoedema presents as a filmy opalescence or diffuse whiteness, often with a folded appearance.
• Commonly associated with smoking and may show pigmentation changes.

The Hard Palate

• Characterized by palatine rugae and the incisive papilla located behind the maxillary incisors.
• Gentle palpation of the hard palate is necessary to check for lesions.

Tori (Torus Palatinus)

• Benign bony outgrowths in the maxilla/mouth, typically bilateral in the mandible.
• Present in approximately 20-35% of the population, varying in shape and size.

Dorsal Surface of the Tongue

• Healthy tongue exhibits a thin, white coating indicating proper digestive function.
• Taste buds are located on papillae, raised protrusions on the tongue's surface.

Ventral Surface of the Tongue

• Inspection includes the floor of the mouth, lingual frenum, and salivary ducts.

Lateral Surfaces of the Tongue

• Assessment involves visually checking dorsum, ventral, and lateral surfaces for ulcerations.

Examination of Lips

• Check for color, lesions, blisters, and palpate for abnormal lumps.
• Observe texture, color, and commissures for signs of dryness or cracking.

Linea Alba

• A white line along the occlusal plane, often bilateral, resulting from frictional activity of teeth.

Fordyce Granules

• Asymptomatic yellow grains (1-3 mm in size) derived from sebaceous glands, primarily on buccal mucosa and lips.

Clinical Features of Healthy Gingiva

• Healthy gingiva appears coral pink, with color variation based on vascularity; no bleeding occurs.
• Pigmented gingiva ranges from light brown to black based on skin complexion.

Tissue Contour Size and Shape

• Interdental papillae form a sharp point where teeth contact; diastema leads to flatter papillae.
• Healthy gingival margin meets tooth with a tapered knife-edge appearance.

Tissue Consistency and Texture in Health

• Firm attachment to tooth crowns; resilient tissue exhibits dimpled, stippled texture akin to orange peel.

Gingivitis

• Non-destructive inflammation of gums; reversible with good oral hygiene; may progress to periodontitis if untreated.
• Symptoms include reddened, swollen, tender gums that bleed easily.

Tissue Color in Gingivitis

• Gingiva appears bright red due to increased blood flow and tissue enlargement.
• Loss of stippling leads to shiny, swollen tissue with spontaneous bleeding.

Changes in Appearance of Papillae

• Enlarged gingiva exhibits increased size; bulbous papillae may occur from long-term inflammation.
• Blunted papillae do not adequately fill the interdental space; cratered papillae appear scooped out in necrotizing gingivitis.

Periodontitis

• Defined as inflammation of gums and supporting tooth structures, resulting in alveolar bone loss.
• Symptoms include bleeding on probing, spongy gingival margins, tooth mobility, and gingival recession.

This quiz focuses on the recognition and description of oral tissues in both health and disease. It tests your knowledge on differentiating healthy gingiva from diseased states, as well as the examination of buccal mucosa and its features. Prepare to enhance your understanding of oral health!