What Does an Oral Pathologist Do?

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.