Mouth and Oropharynx assessment

Equipment needed

Clean gloves, tongue depressor, 2×2 gauze, penlight

Caviar spots

Tiny purple/bluish spots under tongue, not uncommon

Procedure beginning

Identify self, identify patient using two forms, explain what and why you are doing, hand hygiene/privacy.

Procedure history

Ask if history of routine dental care, last visit to dentist, length of time ulcers, any denture discomfort, oral medications taking.

Outer Lip Assessment

Inspect outer lips for color, contour, and texture, ask patient to purse lips as if to whistle.

buccal mucosa

Lip and cheek lining in mouth

Inner lip and buccal mucosa assessment

Check for moisture, texture, any possible lesions, color, pull lips outward and grasp lips to check for these aspects as well.

Teeth and Gums assessment with buccal mucosa

Inspect the teeth and gums while checking inner lips, using tongue depressor, retract the cheeks and view surfaces of buccal mucosa from top to bottom, using a penlight

Teeth assessment

Observe number of teeth 32 teeth(28 without wisdom teeth), check for teeth color, state of fillings, tartar along base of teeth.

Gums assessment

Check gums around molars for bleeding, color, any retraction of teeth form alignment, edema(swelling) and lesions

Dentures assessment

Ask patient to rinse mouth with warm water, remove dentures, inspect for state of care of dentures, any cracking or issues, and inspect gums.

Tongue assessment

Inspect surface of tongue for position, color, and texture, asking patient to protrude(Extend tongue) Check for raised papillae(taste buds)

Tongue movement assessment

Ask patient to roll tongue upwards, side to side, and make sure tongue moves freely.

Tongue base assessment

Ask patient to lift tongue, check mouth floor and base of tongue for a smooth surface with prominent veins, check for the frenulum(connector of tongue to mouth)

Palates assessment

Inspect hard palate and soft palate(Roof of mouth, hard is in middle) for color, shape, texture, and presence of bony prominences, ask patient to tilt head back with mouth wide open.

Uvula asasessment

After palates assessment, check the uvula(Handing part of throat) for position and mobility, have patient say “Ahhhh”

Oropharynx assessment

Inspect the oropharynx(Back of mouth) for color and texture, inspecting each side at a time to avoid eliciting the gag reflex.

Tonsils assessment

Inspect tonsils(Behind throat on sides) for color, discharge and size, should not be too visible, and should be pink and smooth