Condition	Clinical presentation	Treatment		Comments
Dental caries1–6	Coronal (above the gum) or root: painful brownish discoloration with cavitation	Root caries may be treated with fluoride gels, varnishes, or toothpaste; effective for some shallow caries		Infection can be reduced with good oral hygiene and professional dental care; patients should avoid sugary foods and drinks; see Table 2 for risk factors
Gingivitis7	Red, swollen, bleeding gums	Good oral hygiene, including brushing and flossing daily		—
Periodontitis6,8–12	Gingivitis, gingiva recession, loose or shifting teeth	Good oral hygiene, including brushing and flossing daily; dental scaling performed by a dental health professional; adjunct antibiotic therapy		Associated with cardiovascular disease, worsening diabetes, and aspiration pneumonia
Xerostomia7,13	Swollen, dry, red tongue; burning sensation; difficulty with speech and swallowing; change in taste	Saliva substitutes; sugar-free gum or pilocarpine (Salagen) and cevimeline (Evoxac) drops may stimulate saliva production		See Table 3 for risk factors
Candidiasis14–17	Acute pseudomembranous (thrush): adherent white plaques that can be wiped off Erythematous (denturestomatitis): red macular lesions, often with a burning sensation Angular cheilitis: erythematous, scaling fissures at the corners of the mouth	Topical antifungals (e.g., nystatin oral suspension or troche [Mycostatin; brand no longer available in the United States]; clotrimazole troche [Mycelex]) Or Systemic antifungals (e.g., fluconazole[Diflucan]; ketoconazole [Nizoral; brand no longer available in the United States]; itraconazole [Sporanox])		Diagnosis can be confirmed with oral exfoliative cytology (stained with periodic acid-Schiff or potassium hydroxide), biopsy, or culture
Denture stomatitis18,19	Varying erythema, occasionally accompanied by petechial hemorrhage; localized to the denture-bearing areas of the removable maxillary prosthesis; usually asymptomatic	Removal of dentures at night; topical antifungals (see Candidiasis) placed inside the denture-fitting surface		Dentures should be removed and cleaned at least once daily
Oral cancer20	Nonhealing ulcer or mass	Refer for biopsy, staging, surgery, and other treatment		—