TOOTH AND GUM ABNORMALITIES
As physicians, we often neglect inspection of the teeth. We seem to expect the dentist to do this part of the examination for us. Multiple cavities are found in diabetes mellitus, pernicious anemia, and multiparous women. Separation of the teeth may be a clue to hypopituitarism, whereas teeth that taper to a thin edge are typical of the screwdriver appearance of Hutchinson teeth in congenital syphilis. Who has not heard of the dramatic gum hypertrophy associated with phenytoin use in epileptic children? In scurvy, the gums become swollen, and the teeth get loose, drop out, or become misaligned. In dental ectodermal dysplasia, the teeth may be partially or completely absent, and, at times, there is no evidence of enamel formation. The dark blue line positioned where the gums meet the teeth is a sign of lead intoxication.
Mothers frequently complain that their children grind their teeth, but this is rarely of pathologic significance. Of course, it may be a sign of malocclusion and temporomandibular joint syndrome, especially in adults.
Yellow teeth are a sign that a child has been affected by tetracyclines either in utero or early childhood.
Book Source Details
- Book Title: Algorithmic Diagnosis of Symptoms and Signs
- Author(s): R. Douglas Collins
- Year of Publication: 2003
- Copyright Details: Algorithmic Diagnosis of Symptoms and Signs, Copyright © 2003 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
Other Book Chapters Related to Toothache
Read excerpts from these other book chapters related to Toothache:
Medical Books Excerpts
- JAW PAIN
- "Algorithmic Diagnosis of Symptoms and Signs" (2003)
- [ read ]
- TOOTHACHE
- "Differential Diagnosis in Primary Care" (2007)
- [ read ]
- Jaw pain
- "Handbook of Signs & Symptoms (Third Edition)" (2006)
- [ read ]
- Jaw pain
- "Professional Guide to Signs & Symptoms (Fifth Edition)" (2006)
- [ read ]
- Jaw pain
- "Alarming Signs and Symptoms: Lippincott Manual of Nursing Practice Series" (2007)
- [ read ]
- Jaw pain
- "Signs & Symptoms: A 2-in-1 Reference for Nurses" (2007)
- [ read ]
- Jaw pain
- "Nursing: Interpreting Signs and Symptoms" (2007)
- [ read ]
- TOOTHACHE
- "Differential Diagnosis in Primary Care" (2007)
- [ read ]
Copyright Details: Algorithmic Diagnosis of Symptoms and Signs, Copyright © 2008 Williams & Wilkins.
More About Causes of Toothache
» Next page: Toothache (In a Page: Signs and Symptoms)
Rate This Website
What do you think about the features of this website?
Take our user survey and have your say:
Website User Survey
Medical Tools & Articles:
Next articles:
Tools & Services:
Medical Articles:
Forums & Message Boards
- Ask or answer a question at the Boards:
