Oral cancer

With the high prevalence of habits like tobacco, smoking and gutka, the incidence of oral squamous cell carcinoma is very high.

Any suspicious area in the oral cavity or any aberrant symptom like change of voice etc should be immediately shown to an oral diagnostician so as to get an opinion regarding its malignant potential.

The sooner any form of carcinoma is diagnosed and treatment is instituted the higher is the chance of a full and eventless recovery.

We emphasize on the importance of regular checkups at our clinic so that any abnormality or aberrance can be immediately detected and investigated. Towards early and clear diagnosis we perform staining and biopsy at our clinic. This allows early cancer diagnosis and referral for treatment.

Canker Sores, aphthous ulcers

Canker Sores = Aphthous Ulcers

A lot of patients confuse the terminology for cold sores and canker sores. They may use many other words such as: fever blisters, sun blisters, herpes labialis, herpes type I, and apthous ulcers without understanding the difference.  This section discusses canker sores; cold sores are discussed in the next section. 

Canker sores are aphthous ulcers . They usually occur as a solitary, larger lesion that appears on the red oral tissues like the inside of the cheek. They can also be quite painful. Canker sores are not considered a sexually transmitted disease. People may get them with irregular frequency and they can be associated with stress or during immune supression like when getting the flu. Canker sores usually last for seven to ten days. 

Treatment:  We offer a new treatment for Canker Sores in our office that can greatly reduce the severity and duration of an outbreak.  The treatment is relatively painless and takes only a few minutes.

Cold Sores, herpes 1, fever & sun blisters

Cold Sores = Herpes I = Fever Blisters = Sun Blisters

A lot of patients confuse the terminology for cold sores and canker sores. They may use many other words such as: fever blisters, sun blisters, herpes labialis, herpes type I, and apthous ulcers without understanding the difference.  This section discusses cold sores; canker sores are discussed in the preceding section.

Herpes. Patients will occasionally present to our office with an established Herpes I lesion on their lip and refer to it as a 'cold sore' or 'fever blister' and yet deny that it is Herpes. They are wrong.

Herpes is a defined as a sexually transmitted disease (STD) though it is also possible for anyone, including children, to innocently contract it through contact with someone who is actively infected. Herpes is contagious when the lesion is visible; it most commonly appears on the lips though it can also be hidden inside the mouth on the pink gum near the teeth. It usually appears as small, discrete white dots that coalesce over several days into one larger, painful lesion. Sharing food with parents, friends or classmates or kissing a relative hello are common means of disease transmission. Therefore do not share food or kiss anyone when a lesion is actively present! The usual duration of an untreated Herpes lesion is seven to ten days. Herpes type II (two) is an STD that occurs on the genitals.

Treatment: There is no cure for Herpes though current medication prescribed by a dentist or doctor can substantially reduce the severity of an outbreak.  Sunblock on the lips can also help prevent an outbreak.  The prescription medication is worth obtaining.

White lesions

Many times patients notice white lesions on the tongue or the cheek mucosa and may sometimes even have symptoms of pain or burning associated with them.

These lesions may be a self-limiting condition related to stress or the result smoking or tobacco abuse. It is important to approach an oral diagnostician to diagnose the exact nature of he problem and follow the treatment plan formulated. Many of the lesions may be premalignant i.e. they may predispose the patient to oral cancer.

Leukoplakia

Lichen planus

Oral submucous fibrosis

Apthous ulcers

Recurrent herpes

Are some of the conditions for which a detailed diagnosis and treatment is carried out at our clinic by an oral diagnostician who specializes in the field.