Oral pathology is the branch of dentistry concerned with the diseases of the mouth, including oral soft tissues and mucous membranes as well as the teeth, jaws, and salivary glands. It involves treating conditions causing or resulting from substantial physical or functional changes in the mouth.

The inside of your mouth should normally be smooth and pink in color. Changes in its appearance or how it feels could signal problems. Warning signs in your mouth include:

• Red or white spots (Figure a)
• Bumps (Figure b)
• Lumps (Figure c)
• A non healing ulcer (Figure d)
• Difficulty chewing and/or swallowing

Should any of these symptoms occur, please seek treatment immediately. Left unchecked, severe dental conditions lead to both tooth and bone loss. In the case of oral cancer, late detection can be deadly.

To keep potentially harmful situations from occurring, it is important that you carefully examine your mouth on a regular basis for any the above warning signs. You should also maintain regular appointments with your dentist.