Oral Pathology
Oral Pathology is the specialty of dentistry involved with the diagnosis and management of diseases of the face, lips, oral cavity, jaws, and salivary glands, as well as management of oral manifestations of systemic diseases. Training in oral pathology is an integral part of our training in oral & maxillofacial surgery.
Did You Know…
The mouth is frequently involved in conditions that affect the skin or other multi-organ diseases. In many instances, oral involvement precedes the appearance of other symptoms or lesions at other locations.
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We also recommend that our patients perform an oral cancer self-examination on a regular basis and we are happy to instruct them in how to do such an examination.
Risk Factors Associated With Development of Oral Cancer
Research has identified a number of factors that may contribute to the development of oral cancer. The most common are the use of tobacco and alcohol. The risk of developing oral cancer is about four times higher for cigarette smokers than for nonsmokers. It is also widely believed in the medical field that the heat generated by smoking pipes and cigars irritates the mouth and can lead to lip cancer. The use of smokeless tobacco or snuff is also associated with development of oral cancer.
Keep in mind that your mouth is one of your body’s most important early warning systems. Don’t ignore any suspicious lumps or sores. Should you discover something, make an appointment for a prompt examination. Early treatment may well be the key to complete recovery.