Oral Development and Pathology

The mouth is integral in the development of feeding, the initiation of digestion, and for speech and socialization. Signs of systemic disease and nutritional deficiencies often manifest in the mouth, and poor oral health can exacerbate many systemic conditions.

This review addresses the fetal development of the mouth, major anomalies, common minor physical findings, and pathologic conditions and their management.

Pediatric practitioners have historically been poorly trained in diagnosis and management of oral conditions, so this article provides an overview of oral embryology and pathology, with a focus on hard and soft tissue disease identification, triage, and management. For primary prevention to be effective, pediatric providers must be knowledgeable about the process of dental caries, prevention of the disease, and available interventions, including fluoride.

The embryology and anatomy of the oral cavity are complex, and the mouth is crucial to many physiologic processes. Pediatric primary care providers are uniquely positioned to prevent, identify, and triage dental caries, the most common chronic disease of childhood.