What Does an Oral Pathologist Do?

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An oral pathologist will both identify and treat an array of diseases. They’ll often work with other oral healthcare professionals to develop the most efficient action plan for each patient. For example, maybe a dentist notices a canker sore and refers the patient to the oral pathologist. After the pathologist has completed the core treatment, they might refer the patient back to their dentist for ongoing follow-up care. Here, we’ll look at what to expect if you need the oral pathologist, and why it helps to do your homework before you choose one.

What to Know About Pathology

While oral cancer in Palmdale, CA is probably the most well-known association with pathology, the reality is that a pathologist can treat everything from chronic bad breath to fungal infections to herpes to bone tissue death.

What to Know About Oral Diseases

Because the mouth is so interconnected, it’s not always easy to tell what you have when it comes to oral disorders. Bad breath, gum recession, tooth pain: these are all common symptoms of multiple disorders. In general, though, you should be paying attention to any major changes in your mouth if you care about staving off oral diseases.

For example, color changes in your tongue or gums. Or a sore that bleeds easily and doesn’t heal after a few days. Other symptoms include lumps or rough patches and difficult chewing or swallowing. You’re more at risk of oral diseases if you smoke, drink heavily, have a family history of oral cancer, or have an oral HPV infection.

How Pathologists Test

Pathologists typically test for diseases by using specialized dyes, lights, X-rays, or 3D scans. While the techniques may differ, they’re using these tools to assess problem areas before they order a biopsy. If you do need a biopsy, they’ll either order an incisional or excisional procedure based on the size of the tissue sample.

If you’re looking for an oral pathologist in Palmdale, CA, Heritage Oral Surgery  today to learn more about how we work, who we work with, and what our patients expect from us. Whether you’ve had a problem area for a little while now or you’re just curious about prevention, we’re here to assist with and treat the disorders that your regular dentist may not be able to handle.

man holding jaw in pain

What to Know About Dry Socket

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Dry socket is a condition that can occur after you’ve lost a tooth if the clot in your tooth either unexpectedly moves or doesn’t form at all. This exposes your nerves and bones, making it harder for your mouth to heal. Below, we’ll look at what you need to know about the condition and why finding the right oral surgeons in Palmdale, CA, can help you drastically reduce the odds of experiencing it.

Dry Socket Symptoms

For the most part, there is no mistaking the symptoms of dry socket. The pain is typically severe enough that you won’t have to wonder. This pain may start in the tooth only to travel to the whole side of your face, eventually affecting anything from your eyes to your neck. Other symptoms include very bad breath, a bad taste in your mouth, or visible bone underneath the extraction site.

What Causes Dry Socket?

Dry socket is often a clotting problem, which you can trace back to a number of potential causes. For example, different medications may impact either your blood’s consistency or interfere with the general healing process. Dry socket can also be a pressure problem, meaning you can dislodge the clot with anything from forceful rinsing to a suck on a straw or a cigarette.

How to Avoid Dry Socket in Palmdale, CA

For some people, dry socket is largely unavoidable. It doesn’t always take very much to dislodge the clot, and this can happen even when you’re being careful. However, there are ways to drastically reduce your odds of dry socket, particularly if you work with a team that can educate you about protecting the site and giving you all the resources you need to keep it as safe as possible.

Whether you’re getting your wisdom teeth removed in Palmdale, CA or you suffered an accident or injury, the team at Heritage Oral Surgery & Implant Centers is here to help you get the services you need so that you can heal as quickly as possible. If you need additional services, such as implants or grafting, we can schedule follow-ups so you can restore your smile!