Aging and Oral Health
As people age, this facial feature often appears more prominent.
What is the nose?
This condition occurs when the uvula is split completely or partially, seen in about 10% of Native Americans.
What is bifid uvula?
During a mouth exam, dentures should be handled this way.
What is ask the patient to remove them?
The best first-aid measure for a nosebleed.
What is sit up, lean forward, and pinch the nose 5–15 minutes?
Over 50% of adults in the U.S. have this viral infection that causes cold sores.
What is Herpes simplex 1?
Tooth loss in older adults is worsened by poor oral hygiene and this habit.
What is tobacco use?
This congenital condition is most common among Asian populations.
What is cleft lip and palate?
To test patency of the nostrils, the nurse should do this.
What is push one nostril shut and ask the patient to sniff?
Painful boils inside the nose caused by Staph infection.
What is a furuncle?
This lip condition is caused by inflammation and cracking at the corners of the mouth.
What is angular cheilitis?
A decrease in these two senses reduces older adults’ interest in food.
What are taste and smell?
This oral abnormality can make it difficult for newborns to breastfeed due to a short frenulum.
What is ankyloglossia (tongue-tie)?
When the patient says “ahhh,” the movement of these structures tests the vagus nerve (CN X).
What are the soft palate and uvula?
This nasal condition can result from chronic cocaine use or trauma.
What is a perforated septum?
This oral lesion looks like a soft, fluid-filled cyst in the lip or mouth.
What is a mucocele (retention cyst)?
Difficulty chewing can lead to poor intake of these essential nutrients.
What are protein, vitamins, and minerals?
This benign, grayish lesion on the buccal mucosa is more common in African Americans.
What is leukoedema?
These grades indicate tonsil size, with 1+ being visible and 4+ meaning they touch each other.
What is the tonsil grading scale?
A black or brown tongue caused by fungal overgrowth after antibiotic use or heavy smoking.
What is black hairy tongue?
This ulcer with rolled edges on the tongue or lips may indicate early oral cancer.
What is a carcinoma?
This combination of oral changes can place an older adult at risk for nutritional deficits.
What are decreased taste/smell and chewing difficulty?
A cleft lip or palate develops during this timeframe of fetal development.
What is between weeks 6 and 9 of pregnancy?
This tool attachment is used to view the nasal cavity during assessment.
What is the short, wide-tipped nasal speculum?
A very glossy, red tongue can indicate deficiencies in these nutrients.
What are vitamin B12, folic acid, and iron?
A red, map-like pattern on the tongue caused by atrophy of papillae.
What is a geographic tongue?