Oral surgery can take on complex oral health issues, such as extracting wisdom teeth, placing dental implants, or conducting jawbone grafting. But we also address soft tissue concerns as well. Our oral surgery and dental implant clinics in Berks County, PA, can address your oral pathology and help protect your smile.
Common Examples of Oral Pathologies
Essentially, oral pathologies refer to diseases of the mouth, which our team can diagnose and treat. When you notice any changes to the color or texture of the interior of your mouth, you should let us know. This could indicate the presence of cancerous or possibly precancerous tissues. You may notice soreness or discomfort that doesn’t pass after several days, but in many cases these can be painless. Which is why as part of your routine exam, we will examine the lips, interior of the cheeks, roof of the mouth, and gums.
You should also consider an appointment if you notice changes to your tissues in between your routine checkup and cleaning visits. For example, if you notice red or white splotches, rough patches or lesions that don’t heal after two weeks. Problems swallowing, bleeding, persistent sore throat or hoarseness, and unexplained weight loss could also be a serious sign you need an exam. If you have trouble chewing or swallowing, this is also a cause for concern.
Biopsy
Our team will start with a thorough exam of your smile, using advanced digital technology to make one with precision and accuracy. If we find areas that could be possible cancerous, then we will conduct a biopsy, so a tissue sample can be analyzed to find out if you need help from a specialist or possibly oral surgery. Remember, of the estimated 53,000 people diagnosed with oral cancer each year, over half will succumb to it in just five years. This is because the disease is rarely caught in the early stages, but a routine exam can mean an early diagnosis and a greater chance of a full recovery!
Preventive Actions
You can also take preventive actions to help safeguard your smile. For example, avoid too much exposure to UV light and be sure you wear skin protection when outdoors, especially in the summer. Try to avoid tobacco products or excess alcohol consumption too. These are common factors in the onset of oral cancer, but at the same time oral pathologies can occur in anyone, even without underlying factors like these. If you have any questions about our approach to diagnosing and treating oral pathologies, then contact our team today to learn more.
WE TREAT ORAL PATHOLOGIES FOR PATIENTS IN WYOMISSING, EXETER, HAMBURG, AND EPHRATA!
Our team wants to help you enjoy better oral health and a smile that inspires confidence. For more information on how we address potentially cancerous or precancerous areas, give us a call at Berks Oral Surgery in Berks County, PA at (610) 374-4093 today!