Oral Health

When advising foreign customers, PTA can usually score points with a good command of English. This time PTA-Forum has compiled the most important English terms, questions and hints on the subject of oral health.

Inflammations in the mouth are generally very painful. In some cases the oral mucosa becomes red and swollen, in others the gums. Dependent on the pathogen, some vesicles (white creamy looking spots) may appear. With some people the corners of the mouth regularly become cracked and inflamed. The affected often find it painful to eat and drink and quickly seek help at the pharmacy.

In the case of self-medication, there are numerous preparations for local application such as mouth rinses, gels containing a local anaesthetic, lozenges, and analgesics with a systemic effect. To enable PTA or pharmacists to recommend the optimal medication in each case, a few questions need to be asked by the pharmacist. It is equally important to point out how to apply the recommended preparations correctly. However, the pharmacy team must remember that possibly some other medication is causing the complaints or that a serious illness might be responsible for these symptoms.

Important questions for the consultation

• What symptoms do you have?
• Are there any vesicles on the oral mucosa?
• Have you noticed any reddish-white spots?
  If so, where are they? On the tongue, on the lips?
• When brushing your teeth, do your gums bleed?
• Is it painful when you are eating or drinking?
• Does your mouth feel dry?
• How long have you experienced these symptoms?
• Have you already taken any medication for it?
• Do you take any medication regularly

Additional information

• If the symptoms do not improve within two weeks, you must see a doctor or a dentist.
• The symptoms are severe and have been lasting for too long. You should see a doctor.
• I recommend that you use a toothbrush with soft bristles.
• Brush your teeth at least twice or three times a day, preferably after each meal. The inflammation will subside quickly.