Oral Pathology
Chicago Area
SIGNS OF ORAL PATHOLOGY
The inside of a healthy mouth is normally lined with a special type of smooth, coral pink skin called mucosa. Any alteration in the appearance of your mucosa could be a warning sign of a pathological process, the most serious being oral cancer. We urge you to schedule a visit to our River Forest, IL office if you notice any of the following:
- Reddish patches in the mouth (erythroplasia)
- Whitish patches in the mouth (leukoplakia)
- A sore that has not healed or bleeds easily
- A lump or thickening on the skin lining the inside of the mouth
- Chronic sore throat
- Hoarse speech
- Difficulty chewing or swallowing
PATIENTS AT RISK FOR ORAL PATHOLOGY
ORAL PATHOLOGY SCREENINGS
We recommend performing monthly self-examinations to check for any changes in the color and appearance of your mouth, and any of the afflictions listed above. Be aware that your mouth serves as one of the most important warning systems in your body, so you should always be aware and look for signs of changes. a specialist at Cameo and the rest of us at Cameo Dental Specialists urge you never to ignore a suspicious sore or lump if you notice once in your mouth, as it may be a sign of a change in your oral pathology and call us to schedule an appointment as soon as you are able.
Professional oral cancer screenings should be conducted once a year. You can count on us to be vigilant in the search for signs of oral pathology in our patients. We’ll perform a thorough exam of your mouth during your next routine dental visit and can order additional tests and screenings if need be. We’ll also consider any risk factors in your lifestyle and give you recommendations on how best to keep yourself healthy.