Our compassionate team here at Bellflower specializes in oral pathology, especially Dr. Adamous and Dr. Sonnichsen. We offer a variety of services under one roof, including Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology. Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology is considered one of the nine dental areas of expertise by the American Dental Association (ADA), and it is often used as preventive dentistry or to deal with the diagnosis and clinical management of diseases affecting the oral cavity and surrounding structures. A couple of the diseases treated with Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology include cancers, inflammatory conditions, and developmental pathologies related to the teeth. Origins can be epithelial or hematologic and can occur in the salivary glands, bones, or soft tissues.
Because the mouth is like an open door to the body, there are numerous diseases that occur inside. More and more evidence and research is suggesting that good oral health is connected to good health overall, so it’s important to check for warning signs and the development of abnormalities in the mouth. These can be the warning signs of much larger problems, including oral cancer. Remember to keep regularly scheduled visits with us and other healthcare providers to catch any problems before they become serious. The following signs are the most common indicators of the beginning of a pathological process or the development of cancer:
- Patches red in color (also called erythroplasia) and also white-colored patches (leukoplakia) in the gums, mouth, and lining of the mouth.
- Sores that fail to heal completely and easily bleed when touched or irritated.
- A lump or thickening on the skin lining the inside of the mouth or near the throat.
- Recurring or chronic sore throat, hoarseness, and also difficulty in chewing and/or swallowing.
Multiple changes can be identified on the lips, cheeks, palate, and gum tissue around the teeth, tongue, face, and neck. With oral pathology, pain isn’t always present, especially since it’s not associated with oral cancer. However, this doesn’t mean pain in the face should be ignored, because it can be part of an underlying problem.
Perform your own oral cancer self-examinations on a regular basis, and make sure to keep your regularly scheduled visits with Dr. Hooman and our team. Please contact Bellflower Oral Facial Surgery & Dental Implant Center today to schedule your consultation. Even if you don’t have any symptoms in the mouth, it’s important to remain on top of your personal oral health and identify any changes you feel or observe.