Oral medicine is the specialty of dentistry that deals with oral health. It covers complex medical conditions as well as the diagnosis and treatment of nonsurgical primitive diseases of the oral cavity. Any constitutional disorders and pain that affect the oro-facial area are also dealt with. More practically, dentist in Huntsville AL treats disorders of the mouth.
Commonly encountered disorders include:
* Skin diseases such as lichen planus
* Dry mouth
* Yeast infections
* Cancer of the mouth and premalignant lesions
* “Burning mouth” syndrome
* Atypical facial pain
* Migraines and headaches
* Chronic muscle pain
* Articular disorders
Oral medicine plays an important role in the detection of premalignant lesions. Clinically, premalignant lesions of the oral cavity may be in the form of white lesions (leukoplakia), red (erythroplasies) or mixed (erythroleucoplasies). Several causative factors are implicated in the development of premalignant lesions:
* Tobacco and alcohol
* Age and gender
* Ultraviolet
* Infectious Factors
Tobacco and alcohol
Tobacco and alcohol are recognized as the most important risk factors in respect of the development of premalignant lesions and oral cancer. The carcinogenicity of tobacco is directly proportional to the dose and duration of use. The carcinogenic effect is all the more important when consumption begins at a young age. Tobacco products including cigarettes, cigars, pipe and chewing tobacco are included. It is more dangerous to smoke cigars and pipes compared to cigarettes. In addition, the use of smokeless tobacco is more devastating than the use of not using tobacco. Alcohol consumption does not seem to cause the appearance of white lesions in the mouth, but it has a synergistic effect with tobacco (increases the risk of developing cancer of the mouth).
Age and sex
Oral cancer is more common in men over 60 years. Male dominance is probably due to lifestyles that differ from those of women (abuse of alcohol and tobacco).
Ultraviolet
Prolonged and excessive exposure to ultraviolet rays can play an important role in the development of cancer of the skin and the lower lip.
Infectious factors
Some viruses, bacteria and fungi can be risk factors in the development of premalignant lesions and oral cancer.
A consultation with Dentists in Huntsville AL usually takes 30 to 45 minutes depending on the problem. Most of the consultation is needed to answer questions and get a detailed examination of the mouth and related structures. X-rays, specialized imaging, blood tests and biopsies may be needed to establish the final diagnosis.
