What Is Oral Pathology?
One of your body’s most important warning systems is your mouth. Changes in texture and/or appearance of the internal and external oral organs can quickly alert you to a possible pathological process. It is rare that pain accompanies such problems; therefore, it is important to monitor your oral health with regular self-examinations.
Many oral lesions are benign (not cancerous), but only a doctor can make that determination through a comprehensive oral examination.
Some common oral pathological processes are:
- Viral infections – herpes simplex, coxsackievirus
- Fungal infections – candidiasis (thrush)
- Temporomandibular disorders – jaw pain, headaches
- Salivary gland disease – Sjögrens syndrome, dry mouth, tumours
- Oral ulceration
- Burning mouth syndrome
- Oral cancer
- Some autoimmune diseases, such as lupus and scleroderma
- Facial pain – neuralgia
Schedule an appointment as soon as possible with one of our doctors if you experience any of the following:
- Persistent facial pain or headaches
- Reddish or whitish patches in the mouth
- A sore that bleeds easily and fails to heal
- Chronic hoarseness or sore throat
- Difficulty chewing or swallowing
- A lump or thickening on the lining inside of the mouth
It is common for oral pathologies to occur without experiencing any pain, so it is essential that you schedule a consultation with your doctor as soon as you see its formation. If you think you may be experiencing any kind of oral pathology growth, please obtain a referral for an initial consultation.
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