Mouth and Gum conditions

Question 1

What is leukoplakia

Answer 1

White patches in the mouth, often on the tongue or insides of the cheeks.

Question 2

What can leukoplakia and erythroplakia predispose to

Answer 2

Precancerous increasing the risk of SCC of the mouth

Question 3

Presentation of leukoplakia

Answer 3

Asympomatic patches, irregular and slightly raised. They are fixed in place, meaning they cannot be scraped off

Question 4

Management of leukoplakia

Answer 4

Stopping smoking, reducing alcohol intake, close monitoring and potential laser removal surgery or surgical excision

Question 5

What is erythroplakia

Answer 5

Red patches in the mouth

Question 6

What is lichen planus

Answer 6

Autoimmune condition that causes localised chronic inflammation of the skin

Question 7

Presentation of lichen planus

Answer 7

Shiny, purplish, flat-topped raised areas with white lines across the surface called Wickham’s striae. Often only affects the mouth.

Question 8

Common age that lichen planus effects

Answer 8

Patients over 45 and more common in women

Question 9

Three patterns of lichen planus

Answer 9

Reticular, erosive, plaque

Question 10

Reticular pattern of lichen planus

Answer 10

Net-like web of white lines called Wickhams striae

Question 11

Erosive pattern of lichen planus

Answer 11

Lesions are where the surface layer of the mucosa is eroded, leaving bright red and sore areas of mucosa.

Question 12

Plaque pattern of lichen planus

Answer 12

larger continuous areas of white mucosa

Question 13

Manage of lichen planus

Answer 13

Good oral hygiene, stopping smoking and topical steroids

Question 14

What is gingivitis

Answer 14

Inflammation of the gums

Question 15

Presentation of gingivitis

Answer 15

Swollen gums, bleeding after brushing, painful gums and bad breath.

Question 16

What can happen if gingivitis is not managed

Answer 16

Periodontitis

Question 17

What is periodonitis

Answer 17

Severe and chronic inflammation of the gums and the tissues which support the teeth

Question 18

What can periodonitis lead to

Answer 18

Loss of teeth

Question 19

What is acute necrotising ulcerative gingivitis

Answer 19

Rapid onset of severe inflammation in the gums. Presents similarly to gingivitisi but is very painful

Question 20

Risk factors for gingivitis

Answer 20

Plaue build up on teeth, smoking, diabetes, malnutrition, stress

Question 21

Treatment of gingivitis

Answer 21

Good oral hygiene, stopping smoking, dental treatment, chlorhexidine mouth wash, Abx for acute necrotising ulcerative gingivitis

Question 22

What is gingival hyperplasia

Answer 22

Abnormal growth of gums, notably enlarged around the teeth

Question 23

Causes of gingival hyperplasia

Answer 23

Gingivitis, pregnancy, Vit C deficiency, acute myeloid leukaemia, medications (calcium channel blockers, phenytoin, ciclosporin)

Question 24

What are aphthous ulcers

Answer 24

Very common painful ulcers of the mouth mucosa

Question 25

What underlying disease can aphthous ulcers indicate

Answer 25

IBD, coeliac disease, Behcet disease, Vit deficiency, HIV

Question 26

Topical treatments to treat symptoms

Answer 26

Choline salicyclate, Benzydamine, Lidocaine

Question 27

Treatments for more severe ulcers

Answer 27

Hydrocortisone buccal tablets, betamethasone soluble tablets, beclometasone inhaler spray