Oral pathology allows our team to address soft tissue concerns with your smile, including serious disease. We can even offer a chance to diagnose and treat oral cancer! In today’s blog, your team at Cerritos Dental Surgery talks about how we approach screening for, diagnosing, and treating oral cancer.
The Warning Signs
When should you see our team for oral pathology? This involves screening and treating concerns related to your soft tissues, such as your gums, the interior of your cheeks, and other soft tissues. Any changes could indicate serious concerns in some cases, including oral cancer. Along with an annual screening to catch possible cancerous and precancerous tissues in the early stages, you should contact us when you notice the following:
- Sores or lesions that do not heal after two weeks
- Changes to your voice or persistent sore throat
- Persistent hoarseness that lasts more than a week or two
- Areas of red and white splotches in the interior of your mouth
- Rough patches
- Unexplained weight loss
The symptoms above could potentially mean a very serious issue, and you should see us for a screening!
Screenings
With an oral cancer screening, we will use advanced imaging technology to look closely at your soft tissues for signs of cancerous or precancerous tissues. If we find such areas, we could gently remove a small sample of tissues for a biopsy, in which this is analyzed further. Treatment in the early stages is crucial for increasing the chances of a full recovery, which is why we recommend a screening at least once a year for adults of all ages. Oral cancer tends to have a high mortality rate simply because it is rarely caught early, so be sure to contact us about a screening!
Biopsies and Treatment
Once your screening and biopsy have confirmed the presence of the disease, we will begin treatment. For precancerous tissues, we could discuss preventive actions. If it has already developed, we can discuss a multidisciplinary approach, in which we use two or more possible treatment approaches to remove and stop the cancer. We could conduct surgery to remove tumors and other tissues, offer reconstructive surgery afterward, and even discuss chemotherapy or radiation therapy if necessary. If you have any questions about how we approach oral pathology to protect your oral health and increase the chances of a full recovery! We would also like to see you and your family for a routine screening this summer if you have not had one in 2026 yet. We want to help ensure you enjoy better oral health and a smile that inspires confidence!
TALK TO OUR TEAM ABOUT ORAL PATHOLOGY
To schedule a consultation for an oral cancer screening, then make an appointment with Cerritos Dental Surgery in California call 562-584-4082 today.
