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| What is Oral Pathology? |
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| Oral and maxillofacial pathology is the specialty that deals with the identification and nature of oral disease. This is generally done from the specimens removed from the diseased areas by the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon. This is called biopsy surgery. |
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| Oral and maxillofacial medicine is the specialty that deals with oral disease that generally does not require any surgery but is treated with non-invasive methods such as medication and oral appliances. This is frequently also carried out by the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon. |
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| What are Signs of Oral and Maxillofacial Diseases? |
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| Your gums should normally look smooth and coral pink in color. If you notice a change in this appearance, it could be an early development of a pathological process. The most serious pathological disease is oral cancer. Here are some signs that could indicate the beginning of a pathologic process or cancer: |
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White and Red patches in the mouth (see Figure 1) |
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Sore(s) that bleed easily or fails to heal |
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Thickening or a lump on your gums inside your mouth |
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Difficulty swallowing or chewing |
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Constant sore throat or rasping |
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You can notice these changes on your cheeks, lips, face, neck, tongue, palate, and gum tissue around your teeth. You may not experience pain with these signs. |
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| Should I Check for Oral Pathologies? |
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| You should check your mouth monthly and look for changes like the ones listed above. You should never ignore suspicious sores or lumps. Contact us immediately if you notice changes in and around your mouth. |
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| What is it? |
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| Oral Candidiasis is an infection of the lining of the mouth caused by a yeast-like fungal organism, Candida albicans. The yeast uses the dead cells on the mouth’s lining for food. This organism also causes vaginal yeast infections. |
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| Who gets it? |
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| Candidiasis is most common in very young or older age groups. |
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| What causes it? |
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| Antibiotics kill off the competing bacteria in your mouth which makes it possible for the yeast to take over. Patients who wear dentures are more likely to have yeast in their mouths. Immune system problems can also cause a tendency for yeast infection. |
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| What are the symptoms? |
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| You may notice a burning or itching sensation. However, the yeast infection can be asymptomatic. |
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| What does it look like? |
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| You may notice a red or white appearance to the lining of the mouth. The corners of the mouth may also show redness or cracking. There is a type of candidiasis that appears as white flecks resembling cottage cheese. |
| How is it treated? |
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| Antifungal drugs are used to treat this infection. For people who wear dentures, the dentures must be disinfected by soaking them over night in a mild bleach solution. Do not put partial dentures in a bleach solution – there is a special disinfecting solution for partial dentures. |
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| What is it? |
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| Cicatricial pemphigoid is an uncommon blistering disease that affects the mucous membranes (the moist linings of the mouth, eyes, nose, throat, and vagina). This disease begins in one or two areas and can spread to other areas if left untreated. |
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| Who gets it? |
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| This condition primarily affects middle-aged or older adults, and is more common in women than men. Can I spread this disease? No, this condition is an unusual allergic reaction. The body is actually allergic to itself, the immune system is destroying invading organisms and in confusion starts attacking the lining tissues of the body itself. |
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| Why do I need to diagnose pemphigoid? |
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| The most serious issue with this disease is possible blindness if the lining of the eye is concerned. The word “cicatricial” means scarring, the scarring that results can lead to blindness if not diagnosed early and treated properly. About one in four people will develop pemphigoid in their eyes. |
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| How is it treated? |
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| Drugs that suppress the immune reaction are commonly used for treatment. Pemphigoid cannot be cured. The symptoms can be controlled with the right medication. The goal of your treatment is to ensure the sores and blisters are under control so you can lead a normal life. |
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| What is it? |
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| This is a harmless condition, but can be annoying and is seen rather often. Patients with this condition are almost always adults (men or women). |
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| What causes it? |
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| Keratin, which is dead skin cells (the same material that forms our hair and fingernails) forms at the top of our tongues and is normally knocked off and swallowed when we eat. Normally the amount of keratin produced balances with the amount knocked off. However, sometimes this balance is upset and the condition known as “coated tongue” results. Keratin may not be knocked off as quickly as seen with denture wearers who consume a softer, less abrasive diet. Some people will develop this problem because the produce too much keratin which is due to an irritation of the tongue due to smoking tobacco or drinking hot beverages. The accumulation of keratin on taste buds gives the tongue a “hairy” appearance. |
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| What’s the difference between coated and hair tongue? |
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| The only difference is the degree of keratin accumulation; coated tongue, the accumulation is not as severe as hairy tongue. |
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| Is it contagious? |
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| No, this is not an infection. |
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| Is there a cure? |
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| The most effective treatment is daily use of a tongue scraper. Also, stopping any habits that increase the production of keratin by causing irritation can also reduce the problem. |
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| What is it? |
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| Recurrent aphthous ulcerations (“canker sores”) are a common condition that affects the tissue lining of the mouth. Patients typically develop one to five very painful sores that last 10 – 14 days. |
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| Who gets it? |
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| Anyone can develop these lesions. |
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| Is it contagious? |
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| Recurrent aphthous ulcerations is not contagious. This condition is frequently confused with herpes. All research has shown that this condition is not related to any bacterial, viral, or fungal infection. These lesions are like an allergic reaction, but the body is sort of allergic to itself. The immunes system gets confused and starts to attack the body itself. Some patients relate the onset of the lesions to things like stress, the menstrual cycle, or minor injury to the lining of the mouth. |
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| How are they treated? |
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| A medication similar to cortisone, only much stronger needs to be used at the earliest sign of the lesion development at least four to five times per day. |
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| Can they be cured? |
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| No, but the frequency of the attacks can be reduced once the cycle of lesions has been interrupted by treatment. |
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