Oral pathology is the treatment of conditions in the mouth, soft tissues, and jaws. The inside lining of a healthy mouth is a special type of skin — mucosa — that is usually smooth and coral pink. Any changes in the mucosa may indicate that a condition has developed. The most serious is oral cancer.
Symptoms to watch for include:
- Reddish patches in the mouth (erythroplasia)
- Whitish patches in the mouth (leukoplakia)
- A sore that bleeds easily and fails to heal
- A lump or thickening of skin inside the mouth
- Chronic sore throat or hoarseness
- Difficulty chewing or swallowing
Changes can be detected on the lips, cheeks, palate, and gum tissue around the teeth, tongue, face, or neck. While pain isn’t a symptom of oral cancer, any facial and/or oral pain without an obvious cause shouldn’t be ignored. If you notice lumps, sores, or any of the symptoms described above, contact your dentist for a referral to our office.
