When you have sores or discomfort in your mouth that don’t heal after a few days, this is an example of an oral pathology that needs attention. For some, this could indicate the potential presence of oral cancer! Fortunately, your Santa Rosa, CA, oral and maxillofacial surgeons can help with treatment for common oral pathologies.
What is an Oral Pathology?
Oral pathology refers to any concerns with your soft tissues that could potentially mean the presence of oral cancer. These could include red and white lesions, sores, swelling, lumps, or rough patches in the interior of your mouth. Tumors in the jaw could also be a sign of trouble, as could unexplained bleeding. Outside of sores in the tissues that don’t heal after a week or two, be on the lookout for changes to your voice, persistent hoarseness, unexplained weight loss, and a sore throat that doesn’t heal after two weeks. These issues could mean serious trouble and ignoring them increases the risk of oral cancer reaching the advanced stage, limiting your ability to receive treatment and recover.
Biopsy and Treatment
You may be referred to our team by your general dentist or orthodontist, but if not and if you begin to experience changes and sores in your mouth, please contact our team to schedule a consultation and evaluation. Our team will review your oral and medical history, talk to you about your oral hygiene routine, and then carefully examine the smile with advanced digital x-rays and 3D imaging technology, which use a fraction of the radiation and provide images instantly chairside, so you obtain a more precise diagnosis in a shorter time frame. If we find possible precancerous or cancerous areas, we may take an oral tissue biopsy, removing a small portion of the impacted soft tissues and sending it to a laboratory for a careful examination and analysis. If the tissues test positive for oral cancer, then we can refer you to specialists and discuss the next moves to protect your overall oral health.
Protecting Your Smile
You can take action to lower your risk of developing issues like oral cancer. Try to limit your UV light exposure, and wear sun protection, limit your alcohol consumption, and avoid tobacco products completely. Take time to brush and floss, and see your general dentist for checkups every six months. If you have any questions about how our team can treat oral pathologies, then contact our team today to learn more.
Treating Your Oral Pathology in Santa Rosa, CA
We want to help diagnose uncomfortable soft tissue concerns with your smile. To learn more about oral pathology or to schedule an appointment for a consultation, give us a call at Santa Rosa Oral Surgery at (707)545-4625 today!
