Why Is Oral Pathology Important?

We hope to never have pain or dental issues. With good preventative care, that’s usually the case. But sometimes, even with the best habits in place for dental hygiene, stuff happens. 

Oral pathology seeks to diagnose and treat problems that make your mouth or teeth ache. If you’re not sure what’s wrong with your mouth, you should seek help from a skilled dentist or oral surgeon as soon as possible. 

Discomfort caused by oral conditions can be easily managed when its causes are clear. Oral pathology is that part of dentistry that reveals the problem so you can treat it. An oral pathologist requires specialized training, which is more comprehensive than a regular dentist. 

What is Oral Pathology?

When things go wrong in your mouth like discomfort, sensitivity, bleeding, or unusual symptoms with your gums, oral pathology helps find the answers. It deals with the identification and management of oral diseases that affect the maxillofacial and oral regions.

Oral pathology is critical in dental care, as it allows us to diagnose the symptoms and deliver the proper treatment quickly when there is a problem. 

Oral pathology considers your personal health history to determine what existing conditions may be affecting your mouth. This is the main reason you should have a relationship with a practice like Hill Country Oral Surgery, even when things are going fine in your mouth. Oral health and overall health go hand-in-hand. 

Oral Diseases

Risk factors for oral diseases comprise smoking, drinking, poor oral hygiene, an unhealthy diet, and social determinants of health and wellness. You and your mouth may be at risk based on any number of these factors and their interactions.

Oral diseases can be classified into major categories:

  • Pain
  • Infections: caused by fungus, bacteria, or viruses
  • Cancer: Warning signs include discolored gums, lumps in your mouth or throat, or open wounds
  • Cavities
  • Gum Disease: inflammation and infection of the gums
  • Tooth Loss

Anything that prohibits you from comfortably smiling, speaking, chewing and swallowing is an oral issue. Accidents and injuries aren’t diseases but can affect oral health negatively.

A healthy mouth is crucial to a healthy body. The best way to protect oral health is through healthy lifestyle habits and good oral hygiene. This includes:

  • Brushing teeth twice a day, for two minutes each time
  • Flossing between your teeth once daily
  • Seeing your dentist regularly, two times per year
  • Eating a healthy diet, avoiding smoking and sugar, and limiting alcohol
  • Drinking lots of water and getting sufficient sleep
  • Understanding how overall health affects oral health

If you’re experiencing any oral health concerns or have any questions on how oral pathology is critical to improving your dental health, we are here to help.

Call our Austin oral surgery office at 512-327-7233 to request a consultation.