Oral Pathology
The inside of the mouth is normally lined with a special type of skin (mucosa) that is smooth and coral pink in color. Any alteration in this appearance could be a warning sign for a pathological process. The most serious of these is oral cancer.
The following can be signs at the beginning of a pathological process or cancerous growth:
- Reddish patches (erythroplasia) or whitish patches (leukoplakia) in the mouth
- A sore that fails to heal and bleeds easily
- A lump or thickening on the skin lining the inside of the mouth
- Chronic sore throat or hoarseness and/or difficulty in chewing or swallowing
These changes can be detected on the lips, cheeks, palate, and gum tissue around the teeth, tongue, face, and/or neck. Pain does not always occur with pathology, and curiously, is not often associated with oral cancer. However, any patient with facial and/or oral pain without an obvious cause or reason may also be at risk for oral cancer.
We would recommend performing an oral cancer self-examination monthly. Remember that your mouth is one of your body’s most important warning systems. Do not ignore suspicious lumps or sores. Please contact us so we can assist you with any questions or concerns.
Trish’s Daughter Had Her Oral Pathology Treated
We had visited the dentist in July because I have triplets, and Samantha is my oldest daughter, and they have a bunch of teeth coming in. So we went to see the dentist; she took an X-ray and realized that she had an infection. We were referred to Dr. Wilcox for an evaluation. He realized that we needed to go in and take a biopsy of her jaw bone, tissue, and marrow. I was extremely nervous. No one wants to be in that situation of the unknown, and it was very scary. Dr. Wilcox was extremely helpful in settling my nerves, explaining every step of the process. Her procedure was very — it went well. I would recommend this group of professionals. They’re extremely knowledgeable, friendly, and really take the worry out of this process.
-Trish