The mouth and salivary glands

Many systemic diseases are associated with oral symptoms or signs, hence thorough examination of the lips, gums, teeth, tongue, and oropharynx should be part of any complete physical examination of a patient. Dental caries, caused by bacterial action, is one of the commonest human diseases and a cause of considerable misery. Chronic periodontal disease is the most important cause of dental loss in adults. In addition to describing these conditions, this chapter also covers potentially malignant lesions of the oral mucosa and oral cancer; viral, fungal, and bacterial infections; oral ulceration; oral manifestations of dermatological, gastroenterological, haematological, and multisystem disorders; orofacial pain syndromes; and salivary gland disorders.