Oral Pathology

The inside of a healthy mouth should be coral pink in color and feel smooth. Although many changes that occur in and around the mouth end up being harmless, any variation to its normal look and feel should be examined by an experienced oral and maxillofacial surgeon to make sure the condition is not serious.

It is a good idea to become familiar with how your mouth typically looks and feels so that any changes can be addressed and treated by an oral surgeon right away. Conducting an oral self-exam once a month is recommended. Many oral pathologies are more easily treated when they are caught early.

A biopsy of the affected tissue may be taken if an oral pathology is suspected. The tissue sample will be sent to a lab, where a pathologist will diagnose and share their findings with your oral surgeon. Your oral surgeon will recommend the next steps of treatment based on the pathologist’s findings.

Signs and Symptoms of Oral Pathologies

An oral and maxillofacial surgeon is highly trained in the identification and treatment of oral pathologies. Even though most oral pathologies are not serious, we strongly encourage you to seek the professional opinion of an oral surgeon if you are experiencing any changes in and around your mouth. They can rule out more serious diseases and conditions, such as oral cancer, and create a customized treatment plan to get your mouth back to optimal health.

Oral pathologies can be as benign as a canker sore, or as serious as oral cancer. Many oral pathologies do not have accompanying pain. The signs and symptoms of an oral pathology can vary from patient to patient, but common changes of the mouth include

• Patches in the mouth that are red or white in color
• Any sore or sores that fail to heal, or bleeds easily
• Any lump or irregularity
• A sore throat that will not go away
• Persistent hoarseness

If you have noticed any changes to your mouth, please call our office and schedule an appointment. Dr. Smith and Dr. Stern will provide a thorough oral examination and determine the next steps to get your oral health back on track.

Dr. Smith  and Dr. Stern and the team at Greater Columbus Oral Surgery are committed to your oral health. If you have noticed any irregularity, we encourage you to schedule an oral pathology screen with Dr. Smith or Dr. Stern. As an oral surgeon, Dr. Smith and Dr. Stern have received specialized training in the identification and treatment of oral pathologies. We will see you as soon as possible.