Oral cavity common problems MCQs With Answer

Introduction: Oral cavity common problems MCQs With Answer is a focused study aid tailored for M.Pharm students studying Cosmetics & Cosmeceuticals (MPH 204T). This collection addresses frequent oral conditions—xerostomia, dental caries, periodontal disease, candidiasis, mucositis, aphthous ulcers, halitosis, leukoplakia and more—emphasizing pathophysiology, pharmaceutical management, topical cosmeceutical interventions and formulation considerations. Each question probes mechanisms, active ingredients, formulation strategies and clinical implications to strengthen both theoretical understanding and practical decision-making. Use these MCQs to refine exam preparation, identify knowledge gaps, and deepen insight into evidence-based topical and systemic treatments relevant to oral healthcare products and cosmeceutical development.

Q1. What is the most common pharmacological cause of xerostomia in patients taking medications?

• Use of beta-blockers such as propranolol
• Anticholinergic medications such as tricyclic antidepressants and antihistamines
• Long-term proton pump inhibitor therapy
• Topical corticosteroid mouth rinses

Correct Answer: Anticholinergic medications such as tricyclic antidepressants and antihistamines

Q2. Which intervention is most effective at promoting enamel remineralization and preventing dental caries?

• Systemic high-dose vitamin C supplementation
• Topical fluoride application (toothpaste, varnish)
• Daily use of whitening strips
• Oil pulling with coconut oil

Correct Answer: Topical fluoride application (toothpaste, varnish)

Q3. What is the primary antimicrobial mechanism of chlorhexidine used in mouthwashes?

• Acts as a peroxide donor causing oxidative damage
• Chelates calcium to prevent plaque adhesion
• Disrupts bacterial cell membranes and exhibits substantivity on oral surfaces
• Blocks sugar metabolism by inhibiting glycosyltransferase only

Correct Answer: Disrupts bacterial cell membranes and exhibits substantivity on oral surfaces

Q4. Which microorganism is most strongly associated with initiation of dental caries?

• Pseudomonas aeruginosa
• Streptococcus mutans
• Candida albicans
• Porphyromonas gingivalis

Correct Answer: Streptococcus mutans

Q5. Which therapy most commonly predisposes patients to oral candidiasis (thrush)?

• Short-course oral antibiotics for urinary tract infection
• Inhaled corticosteroid therapy for asthma without spacer use
• Topical fluoride varnish application
• Systemic antihypertensive ACE inhibitors

Correct Answer: Inhaled corticosteroid therapy for asthma without spacer use

Q6. Aphthous (minor) ulcers are best characterized by which clinical feature?

• Painful, recurrent shallow ulcers with an erythematous halo and yellowish fibrinous base
• Multiple vesicles that progress to large necrotic ulcers
• Painless white plaques that cannot be scraped off
• Hyperkeratotic raised lesions with verrucous surface

Correct Answer: Painful, recurrent shallow ulcers with an erythematous halo and yellowish fibrinous base

Q7. The most common intraoral site and primary cause of halitosis is associated with:

• Periodontal pockets rich in facultative aerobes
• Tongue coating colonized by anaerobic bacteria producing volatile sulfur compounds
• Dental caries in posterior molars only
• Systemic hepatic failure causing sulfurous breath

Correct Answer: Tongue coating colonized by anaerobic bacteria producing volatile sulfur compounds

Q8. Oral lichen planus is best described as which type of condition?

• Bacterial infection treatable with systemic antibiotics
• Fungal overgrowth responsive to topical antifungals
• T cell–mediated chronic autoimmune mucocutaneous disorder
• Viral-induced vesiculobullous disease

Correct Answer: T cell–mediated chronic autoimmune mucocutaneous disorder

Q9. Oral submucous fibrosis is most strongly linked epidemiologically to which habit?

• Chronic alcohol consumption
• Areca (betel) nut chewing with or without tobacco
• Frequent consumption of hot beverages
• Excessive toothbrushing with abrasive powders

Correct Answer: Areca (betel) nut chewing with or without tobacco

Q10. The most appropriate first-line local treatment for denture stomatitis is:

• Systemic broad-spectrum antibiotics
• Topical antifungal therapy (nystatin or miconazole) and improvement of denture hygiene
• Daily enamel-abrading polishing of the denture with pumice
• Topical corticosteroid application under the denture

Correct Answer: Topical antifungal therapy (nystatin or miconazole) and improvement of denture hygiene

Q11. Fluoride reduces caries risk primarily by which combined mechanisms?

• Neutralizing salivary pH and increasing saliva volume
• Promoting remineralization, inhibiting demineralization and interfering with bacterial metabolism
• Acting as a systemic vitamin to strengthen enamel matrix proteins
• Forming a permanent protective physical barrier on enamel

Correct Answer: Promoting remineralization, inhibiting demineralization and interfering with bacterial metabolism

Q12. Burning mouth syndrome most commonly presents in which patient population and pattern?

• Adolescent males with morning pain relieved by meals
• Middle-aged to older women with chronic idiopathic oral burning, often with normal mucosal exam
• Young children after viral infections with ulcerative lesions
• Immunocompromised patients with white pseudomembranous plaques

Correct Answer: Middle-aged to older women with chronic idiopathic oral burning, often with normal mucosal exam

Q13. For cosmetic removal of extrinsic dental stains, which active ingredient is most commonly used in over-the-counter formulations?

• Hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide (whitening agents)
• Calcium hydroxide
• Triclosan alone
• Systemic chlorhexidine tablets

Correct Answer: Hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide (whitening agents)

Q14. Long-term use of chlorhexidine mouthwash is most often associated with which adverse effect?

• Systemic nephrotoxicity
• Tooth and tongue staining and taste disturbance
• Permanent enamel erosion
• Increased caries risk due to buffering of saliva

Correct Answer: Tooth and tongue staining and taste disturbance

Q15. In pharmacologic management of xerostomia with residual salivary function, which agent is recommended as a salivary stimulant?

• Pilocarpine (muscarinic agonist)
• Nifedipine (calcium channel blocker)
• Omeprazole (proton pump inhibitor)
• Ketoconazole (antifungal)

Correct Answer: Pilocarpine (muscarinic agonist)

Q16. The critical pH below which enamel demineralization begins is approximately:

• 2.0
• 4.0
• 5.5
• 7.5

Correct Answer: 5.5

Q17. Which single preventive measure is considered most effective at reducing dental plaque accumulation?

• Daily mechanical plaque removal with toothbrushing and interdental cleaning
• Daily use of systemic antibiotics
• Wearing dental sealants on all teeth regardless of risk
• Rinsing with sterile saline twice daily

Correct Answer: Daily mechanical plaque removal with toothbrushing and interdental cleaning

Q18. Xylitol exerts its anticaries effect primarily by which mechanism?

• Directly dissolving enamel surface
• Being non-fermentable by Streptococcus mutans and reducing bacterial adhesion and acid production
• Acting as a strong acid to dissolve plaque
• Systemically increasing saliva bicarbonate concentration

Correct Answer: Being non-fermentable by Streptococcus mutans and reducing bacterial adhesion and acid production

Q19. For acute painful oral mucositis in cancer patients, the most appropriate immediate topical analgesic option is:

• Topical viscous lidocaine rinse or gel
• Topical benzoyl peroxide application
• Oral systemic NSAIDs only
• Topical silver nitrate painting as first-line

Correct Answer: Topical viscous lidocaine rinse or gel

Q20. Casein phosphopeptide–amorphous calcium phosphate (CPP-ACP) contributes to enamel remineralization by:

• Acting as a strong chelator that permanently removes calcium from the enamel
• Stabilizing bioavailable calcium and phosphate in a soluble form to enhance remineralization
• Raising plaque pH above 9.0 to dissolve bacterial biofilm
• Directly killing Streptococcus mutans through oxidative stress

Correct Answer: Stabilizing bioavailable calcium and phosphate in a soluble form to enhance remineralization

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