Maintaining good oral hygiene isn’t just vital for preventing cavities. A good teeth cleaning routine and a healthy lifestyle can help prevent a variety of more serious oral health problems.
Find out about the most common oral pathologies in this article.
Oral pathology and diseases
Oral and maxillofacial pathology is a dentistry specialization that diagnoses, studies and treats various oral diseases. Oral pathologists are interested in conditions related to the oral cavity, soft tissues and jawbone.
Here are the most common oral diseases treated by oral and maxillofacial pathologists.
Soft tissue lesions
Soft tissue lesions are one category of oral disease. The soft tissues of the mouth include the tongue, gums, cheeks and lips. Soft tissue lesions appear as ulcers, red or white patches, or small bumps, and can be caused by a variety of different factors.
One example of a condition that affects the soft tissues of the mouth is leukoplakia, a painless white patch that develops in the mouth. Leukoplakia can be precancerous, so it’s important to get it checked and treated by a specialist.
Bone lesions
Bone lesions are another type of oral pathology. They are generally divided into two categories: tumours and dental cysts. Bone lesions are most often detected using 3D x-ray. They can have significant health consequences, so they should be treated promptly once discovered.
Oral cancer (squamous cell carcinoma)
The final type of oral disease covered in this article is mouth cancer. Squamous cell carcinoma affects a significant number of people in Quebec. Almost 700 Quebecers are diagnosed with oral cancer every year, and nearly 300 die from it. People who smoke, drink alcohol or do both are most at risk for oral cancer.
Here are a few symptoms that may indicate oral cancer:
- An ulcer that refuses to heal
- Swollen lymph nodes under the jaw and in the neck
- A hard gingival mass
- Difficulty swallowing
How to detect oral cancer
If you think you may be at risk for mouth cancer, there are a few steps you can take on your own to monitor your oral health.
First, keep an eye on your mouth and check regularly for soft tissue or mucous membrane discoloration, ulcers or lumps. You should also get into the habit of feeling your neck for growths.
If you ever notice anything abnormal, make an appointment with an oral health specialist right away so that you can get a diagnosis and start treatment as quickly as possible.
Oral cancer treatment at Clinique Evoro
Oral cancer is a serious illness that should never be taken lightly. Oral and maxillofacial surgery is often needed to remove the malignant tumour or cyst before more serious consequences occur.
Are you looking for an oral and maxillofacial specialist in the Gatineau region? Clinique Evoro will give you a warm welcome and effective treatment for your oral and dental health problems.
Contact us to make an appointment!