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The lips, or labia, serve as the entryway to the mouth. |
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Examination of the lips is valuable in recognizing signs of illness or trauma. |
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There are 2 different surfaces of the lip—the skin and the mucous membrane. |
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The vasculature, sweat glands, and hair follicles underlie the keratinized epithelium of the lips. |
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The mucous membranes of the lips are non-keratinized. |
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Examination of the oral mucosa is important for cancer screening in adolescents who may be using tobacco products. |
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Research shows that periodontal disease can adversely affect other diseases, such as diabetes or heart disease. |
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Along with screening for cancer, examination of the oral mucosa may reveal signs of trauma, aphthous ulcers, or mucoceles. |
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As the teeth erupt, ridges of bone called the alveolar processes develop around the teeth to provide support. |
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The roof of the mouth consists of a hard palate in front and a soft palate in back. |
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A normal hard palate is a fusion of the bones of the upper jaw
and the palatine bones. Improper fusion of the bones results in a cleft palate. |
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The soft palate is important for swallowing and speech. |
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The tongue is composed entirely of muscle and connective tissue. |
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Papillae located only on the dorsal surface of the tongue are responsible for the sense of taste. |
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The lingual frenulum, also known as the frenum, connects the floor of the mouth to the tongue. |
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Ankyloglossia occurs when the frenulum is thick and severely limits movement of the tongue. In such cases, a frenectomy may be necessary to release the tongue. |
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There are multiple salivary glands within the mouth, especially along the mouth floor. |
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Failure of the glands to produce saliva results in xerostomia and can be caused by medical conditions or drugs. |
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Incisors, canines, premolars, and molars are the 4 types of teeth. |
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The front teeth are called the central and lateral incisors. |
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Dentists use letters to identify the primary teeth and numbers to identify the permanent teeth. |
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The primary dentition is comprised of 20 teeth, with the permanent dentition having 32 total teeth. |
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Molars have pits and fissures that harbor cariogenic bacteria, making them common sites for caries. |
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A specific taxonomy is used to describe the sides of the tooth. |
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Enamel is the hard outer layer of the tooth, which protects the root. |
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Enamel is composed of hydroxyapatite, which binds fluoride to become more resistant to decay. |
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Occlusal refers to the surface of the tooth where biting and chewing take place. |
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The tooth basically consists of a crown and a root. |
