[Clinical aspects and therapy of frequent diseases of the oral mucosa].

Different diseases of the oral mucosa may closely resemble each other and may therefore pose considerable differential diagnostic problems. The most frequent oral mucous membrane disorders are briefly presented according to their main clinical feature. Recurrent aphthous ulcerations have to be differentiated from viral infections causing aphthoid defects. Blisters and erosions are characteristic for erythema multiforme and oral lesions of bullous autoimmune dermatoses. Leucoplakias may be due to exogenous irritant factors, but may also be a symptom of oral disease. Warts and granulomas may simulate malignant tumours. Pigmentations are due to a variety of endogenous and exogenous factors. Some very frequent, but harmless alterations of the tongue are also briefly described.