The inside of the mouth is normally lined with mucosa, a special type of skin, that should appear smooth and pink in color. These are your gums and soft tissues of the mouth. Any changes in color or texture could be a warning sign for a pathological issue such as oral cancer.
Dr. Laun treats a wide range of oral pathology, which may include lesions inside the mouth, skin lesions, cysts or tumors of the jaw or facial bones. In some cases, there is no pain or obvious changes, so regular dental visits are important to identify potential pathology concerns.
Changes that may indicate a pathological process can be detected on the lips, tongue, cheeks, roof of the mouth, and gum tissue around the teeth, face and/or neck. While these changes may sound harmless, they are all possible symptoms of something more dangerous: oral cancer. One of the most common diseases affecting the mouth, jaws, and orofacial skin, oral cancer is often undetected in its early states without examination by specialists like our oral surgeons who are trained in oral pathology.
The best way to know for certain whether you are in danger is to receive an examination from our oral surgeon. If something looks suspicious, a biopsy may be recommended. If you feel concerned about changes in your mouth, by taking the proper steps, we can help you prevent or halt the development of oral disease.
1111 E. Walnut St Suite B
Carbondale, IL 62901
New Patient Number: 618-300-5078
Current Patient Number: 618-529-2571
Dental Marketing by Progressive Dental