Oral pathology is the area of dentistry responsible for diagnosing and treating lesions in the oral cavity, which can affect the hard tissues (jawbone structures and teeth) and soft tissues (gums, mucosa, tongue, lips) of the oral cavity, as well as attached structures (such as salivary glands).
Some of these pathologies may be related to medication, salivary alterations, viral infections such as Herpes or HPV, fungal infections such as candidiasis, or oral problems resulting from systemic diseases.
Which organs can be affected by oral pathology?
The most common oral pathologies usually affect oral structures such as the cheeks, lips, tongue, gums, salivary glands and palate.
What types of oral pathology are there?
Existing oral pathological changes include:
Benign tumors and proliferative reactive lesions of the oral mucosa;
Cysts, tumors and other bone lesions of the jaws;
Oral and perioral infections of bacterial, fungal or viral origin;
Oral manifestations of systemic diseases;
Autoimmune diseases and other immunological conditions;
Salivary gland pathology;
Chronic orofacial pain.
Which organs can be affected by oral pathology?
The most common oral pathologies usually affect oral structures such as the cheeks, lips, tongue, gums, salivary glands and palate.
What types of oral pathology are there?
Existing oral pathological changes include:
Benign tumors and proliferative reactive lesions of the oral mucosa;
Cysts, tumors and other bone lesions of the jaws;
Oral and perioral infections of bacterial, fungal or viral origin;
Oral manifestations of systemic diseases;
Autoimmune diseases and other immunological conditions;
Salivary gland pathology;
Chronic orofacial pain.
What are the possible origins of oral pathologies?
Oral pathologies can have various origins. Here are some of them:
Traumatic (physical, chemical);
Immunological or autoimmune (allergic and autoimmune processes);
Infectious (viruses, bacteria, fungi);
Neoplastic (benign or malignant neoplasms);
Other.
How can oral pathology be prevented?
Além de fazer uma higiene oral diária e adequada, é importante avaliar duas vezes por ano o estado da sua saúde oral.
What are the possible origins of oral pathologies?
Oral pathologies can have various origins. Here are some of them:
Traumatic (physical, chemical);
Immunological or autoimmune (allergic and autoimmune processes);
Infectious (viruses, bacteria, fungi);
Neoplastic (benign or malignant neoplasms);
Other.
How can oral pathology be prevented?
Além de fazer uma higiene oral diária e adequada, é importante avaliar duas vezes por ano o estado da sua saúde oral.
– HOW TO DO AN ORAL SELF-EXAMINATION
Existem algumas medidas que pode tomar para tentar detetar se tem uma patologia oral. Aqui está um guia passo-a-passo:
─ Observe the appearance of the upper and lower lips, the outer and inner areas, especially the gums;
─ Look inside the cheeks, throat and palate;
─ Palpate your face and neck to check for lumps;
─ Check the tongue, top, sides and bottom, taking the opportunity to analyze the floor of the mouth;
─ See a dentist or stomatologist regularly.
What are the characteristics of some of the most prevalent oral pathologies?
There are various oral pathologies, each of which has its own characteristics. Here are some examples.
Halitosis, commonly known as bad breath, is increasingly a reason to visit the dentist, who works on its diagnosis, treatment and prevention.
The root of this problem is usually food, which can cause bad breath either orally or systemically.
Burning in the mouth can affect not only the mouth, but particularly the tongue, causing pain. This burning sensation can be multifactorial and should be assessed by a specialist.
This type of problem is more common in women from middle age onwards.
Gingivitis is the first manifestation of periodontal disease, which is still at a recoverable stage as long as proper hygiene and prophylaxis are carried out by a dentist. The main symptoms of this problem are red, thick and bleeding gums.
We talk about periodontitis when the gingivitis is already at a more advanced stage and has already affected the periodontal ligament and the alveolar bone. Unlike gingivitis, the effect of treatment takes longer at this stage and there is a greater risk of tooth loss.
Contrary to what you might think, dry mouth can be a sign of some oral pathology, as it indicates that there is insufficient saliva production, which can be related to different factors, such as smoking, stress, anxiety,…
Having a blister on the lip, cheek or floor of the tongue may not be a rare situation, but it still requires attention on the part of the patient.
These blisters are often caused by the rupture of one or more salivary ducts. The cause of this rupture can be trauma, such as repetitive self-biting, or an obstruction of the salivary gland.
Leukoplakia is the name given to non-scratchable white plaques, usually asymptomatic, that appear in the mouth.
These plaques should be analyzed histopathologically in order to exclude other oral pathologies with similar characteristics, as well as to detect whether or not they are malignant.
Oral cancer refers to the various types of malignant tumors that can affect tissue in the oral cavity. This type of cancer is most prevalent on the tongue, the floor of the mouth and the gums.
The most characteristic symptoms of this oral pathology are a persistent sore that won’t heal, a white or reddish spot or a swelling that appears in the mouth, without an apparent and identified cause.
Although the manifestations of oral cancer may initially be asymptomatic, they later start to cause pain. Among the most common symptoms are:
pain when swallowing;
difficulty opening the mouth or moving the tongue;
bleeding for no apparent reason;
enlarged lymph nodes.
Treatment for oral cancer usually consists of surgery and radiotherapy and the prognosis is very favorable if the cancer is at an early stage and there is a swift and appropriate therapeutic approach.
What should we know about oral cancer?
Oral cancer refers to the various types of malignant tumors that can affect tissue in the oral cavity. This type of cancer is most prevalent on the tongue, the floor of the mouth and the gums.
The most characteristic symptoms of this oral pathology are a persistent sore that won’t heal, a white or reddish spot or a swelling that appears in the mouth, without an apparent and identified cause.
Although the manifestations of oral cancer may initially be asymptomatic, they later start to cause pain. Among the most common symptoms are:
pain when swallowing;
difficulty opening the mouth or moving the tongue;
bleeding for no apparent reason;
enlarged lymph nodes.
Treatment for oral cancer usually consists of surgery and radiotherapy and the prognosis is very favorable if the cancer is at an early stage and there is a swift and appropriate therapeutic approach.
How can we try to prevent oral cancer?
There are certain precautions we should take in order to avoid oral pathologies such as oral cancer. These include
lead a healthy lifestyle;
not smoking;
moderating the intake of alcoholic beverages;
ensuring good oral health, particularly through proper oral hygiene and regular visits to the dentist;
take special precautions if you are infected with the human papilloma virus (HPV), an infection that increases the risk of developing tumors of the oropharynx.
It’s important to note that oral cancer, if diagnosed early, has a survival rate of up to 90% after five years. On the other hand, when the cancer is in more advanced stages, mortality is over 60%.
Early diagnosis therefore favors the prognosis of the disease, increasing the success rate of treatments.
How can we try to prevent oral cancer?
There are certain precautions we should take in order to avoid oral pathologies such as oral cancer. These include
lead a healthy lifestyle;
not smoking;
moderating the intake of alcoholic beverages;
ensuring good oral health, particularly through proper oral hygiene and regular visits to the dentist;
take special precautions if you are infected with the human papilloma virus (HPV), an infection that increases the risk of developing tumors of the oropharynx.
It’s important to note that oral cancer, if diagnosed early, has a survival rate of up to 90% after five years. On the other hand, when the cancer is in more advanced stages, mortality is over 60%.
Early diagnosis therefore favors the prognosis of the disease, increasing the success rate of treatments.
When there is no tooth, the crown can only be placed on the dental implant.
In this case, it also begins with an assessment visit in which the doctor evaluates the patient, goes through an anamnesis process and uses diagnostic means such as orthopantomography and CBCT (a type of computed tomography) in order to determine which treatment method is best suited to the patient’s health conditions.
