Mouth, throat, teeth and gums examination

Anatomy of the mouth and throat

Figure 8.51   

Attention

  • When you examine mouth and throat don’t forget teeth and gums
  • If you find anything abnormal or worrying — dental/medical consult

What you need

  • Torch or bright lamp
  • Disposable wooden spatula

What you do

  • Sit person in comfortable chair with good back support

Ask

  • Anything in their mouth that worries them
  • Any teeth loose or sore 
  • If they wear dentures (false teeth) — dentures should be removed when examining the mouth

Check

  • Is voice hoarse 
  • Can you smell halitosis (bad breath)
  • Ask person to stick out tongue — does it lie straight, even on both sides

Look

  • At lips, all around inside of mouth, tongue — colour, lumps, swellings, ulcers, growths, white patches
  • At gums for swellings, ulcers, growths, inflammation (pain or redness), and/or exposed, gingivitis (sensitive tooth roots)
  • Teeth — stained or dental caries (rotten), chipped or loose
    • Tap any tooth that looks decayed to see if this causes pain
  • Back of throat
    • Ask person to open mouth, with tongue in normal position, say ‘aaghhh’
    • If you can’t see the back — press spatula firmly down on centre of tongue
    • Look at soft palate, posterior pillars, uvula, tonsils, pharynx
    • Check for colour, any white patches, redness, lumps, ulcers, growths
Feel