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Oral Examinations in Fremont, CA
What Is Oral Pathology?
The identification and management of diseases affecting the mouth, jaws, and related structures is referred to as Oral Pathology. Oral pathology also describes any disease that can develop inside the mouth, including the salivary glands or jaws.
Why Are Dental Exams Important?
Usually, the inner lining of a healthy mouth is smooth and pink. But if it looks or feels different, it might mean there's something wrong, maybe even oral cancer. It's crucial to monitor any changes or issues like white or red spots, sores that won't heal or bleed easily, strange lumps, or the inside of the mouth feeling harder or thicker.
Regular checkups help catch problems early so you can receive treatment promptly.
The Diagnostic Process:
1. Clinical Evaluation: The process typically begins with a comprehensive clinical evaluation. In other words, we'll carefully look at everything inside your mouth, like your gums, tongue, roof of your mouth, and other parts.
2. Biopsy and Tissue Sampling: We might suggest a biopsy if we find something unusual or suspicious in your mouth. This means we'll take a tiny piece of tissue from the area to look at it more closely under a microscope.
3. Histopathological Analysis: After taking the tissue sample, it's looked at closely under a microscope by an oral pathologist in a process called histopathological analysis. This helps them find any cell changes, abnormalities, or signs of disease.
4. Specialized Testing: Sometimes, extra tests like immunohistochemistry or molecular diagnostics are done to learn more about the problem in some instances. These tests give more detailed information about the issue.
5. Diagnostic Reporting: Finally, the oral pathologist with your tissue sample writes a detailed report about what they found, explaining the condition thoroughly.
Common Oral Diseases
Geographic Tongue
A geographic tongue is characterized by irregular, map-like patches on the tongue's surface, which appear as smooth, red areas surrounded by white borders. These patches may change in shape, size, and location over time, giving the tongue an appearance similar to a geographic map.
Median Palatal Cyst
A median palatal cyst is typically a painless, dome-shaped swelling or bump located along the middle of the roof of your mouth. It's generally small but can cause problems with speaking or eating if it gets bigger.
Hairy Tongue
Hairy tongues happen when dead cells don't shed properly, making the bumps on your tongue look long and hairy. Depending on how well you care for your mouth, it can also change colors.
How Are Oral Diseases Treated?
In most cases, changes in your mouth might not be life-threatening, but they can still cause discomfort and change how things look. However, oral cancer is becoming more common, especially among men.
Oral cancer is any cancer affecting areas like the tongue, jaw, and cheeks. Since dentists can't be sure what's wrong without taking a sample, getting treatment quickly when you notice changes could mean all the difference in the world.
For less serious problems, there are different treatments available, like:
Antibiotics: If you have a bacterial infection or a sore mouth, you might receive antibiotics to help your mouth heal.
Diluted Hydrogen Peroxide: If not brushing well is causing problems in your mouth, the dentist might suggest using a mouthwash with diluted hydrogen peroxide. This can kill more germs and help with bad breath.
Oral Surgery: If you have cysts or other growths that aren't cancer, the dentist might recommend removing them. This can make you feel better, help you breathe easier, and make it easier to talk, depending on where the growth is.
Contact Our Experienced Fremont Dentist Today!
Whether you're experiencing discomfort, noticing changes in your oral tissues, or simply overdue for a checkup, Chew Dental Group is here to help. Don't delay your dental health any longer—schedule a consultation with Dr. Chew today and take the first step towards a healthier, happier smile.