When you have a sore in your mouth that doesn’t heal, then you should see our team for a diagnosis. This could be an example of an oral pathology, and ignoring it could lead to major complications. In today’s blog, your Santa Rosa , CA, oral surgeons talk about diagnosing and treating oral pathologies.
What is an Oral Pathology?
An oral pathology essentially means any sores or lumps in your mouth that develop suddenly but don’t heal after one to two weeks. While often benign, these could still be a warning sign of oral cancer and other serious concerns. Which is why you should see our team for a diagnosis and treatment. Oral pathology refers to any and all diseases that form in the mouth, jaw, salivary glands. We can also refer you to specialist if needed!
Common Signs of Trouble
Let’s talk about common signs of trouble. These could include lesions, sores, or ulcers in the mouth that don’t heal after one to two weeks. This could also include rough patches, areas with red and white splotches, or possible tumors in the jaw. Even if these are not painful to you, they could still be a source of concern. You should also be aware of sudden weight loss, unexplained changes in the voice, or a hoarseness or sore throat that doesn’t pass after two weeks. These could also be warning signs of oral cancer and other serious health problems. The sooner these are identified, the sooner you can get treatment and hopefully, enjoy a full recovery.
The Exam
We begin with a thorough exam of your smile, which includes digital x-rays and intraoral cameras. These enable us to take multiple images from several angles, and to see what’s beneath the gums. These 3D images will enable our team to diagnose the presence of trouble, identifying possible precancerous or cancerous areas that need attention. We also look at your medical and dental history too. For some, we may need to take a biopsy to be analyzed in a special lab setting.
Treatment
Treatment varies, but we always take time to plan one personalized to your smile, and to ensure you’re comfortable throughout the entire process with local anesthesia and dental sedation. If you have any questions about how we address issues like oral pathology and oral cancer, then contact our team today. We look forward to seeing you for consultation!
Do You Have Questions About Treating Oral Pathologies?
Don’t ignore regular pain or lesions that haven’t healed, let us know right away. If you would like to learn more about how we improve the health of your smile with oral surgery, then contact your Santa Rosa, CA, oral surgeons by calling 707-545-4625.
