Our mouths are more than just teeth. Our cheek cells and tongue are necessary to our digestive system. The tongue contains anywhere from3,000 to 10,000 taste buds.
. It perceives heat, pain, and pressure, helps create speech, and is covered with mucous membrane that helps protect our bodies from pathogens and microbes. Cheek cells secrete a lubricant called mucin that helps make saliva to soften food, initiate digestion, and facilitate swallowing and speech. Our oral cavity is important in many ways. The healthier our mouth, the healthier we are. Discolorations or sores in your mouth can indicate illness. If you have questions or concerns regarding your oral cavity, your Allen, TX dentist, Marco Cueva DDS, MS, can perform a thorough evaluation and determine if treatment is needed.
Oral Pathology
Oral pathology is a specialized area of dentistry. It involves the health of the mouth, and the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of oral diseases. Patients who have chronic diseases often receive ongoing dental and oral pathological care.
Types of Oral Patholog
Although the two most common diseases of the mouth are dental decay and periodontal disease, there are other diseases that affect oral tissue, including:
- Bad Breath
- Dry Mouth
- Bleeding Gums
- Various Side Effects of Medications
- Oral Cancer
Some conditions are dental related and may present with symptoms, while others may be a manifestation of an underlying illness. Some oral diseases, including cancer, may not show symptoms in early stages. Therefore, it is important to maintain proper dental and oral health, and to attend regularly scheduled screenings.
Oral Cancer
Prevalent in the US due to the popularity of tobacco products, oral cancers can include cancers of the throat, sinuses, soft palate, hard palate, tongue, cheeks, gum tissue, lips, and face. Oral cancers can often be painless until reaching late stages of development. Some signs of a possible pathological process or growth can include:
- Difficulty Chewing
- Difficulty Swallowing
- A Lump Or Bump Inside The Mouth
- A Sore That Doesn’t Heal
- A Sore That Bleeds
- Red Patches In The Mouth
- White Patches In The Mouth
- Chronic Hoarseness
- Chronic Sore Throat
If you are experiencing uncertainty regarding the state of your oral health, Dr Marco Cueva will be happy to discuss your concerns.
About Dr. Marco Cueva
Marco Cueva, DDS, MS, is a board-certified periodontist with extensive training and experience providing a full range of advanced dental care services. New patients can schedule an appointment or consultation with Periodontic Excellence at our Allen, TX dental office by calling 972-390-9944.
