Oral Diseases: What You Need to Know Skip to main content

Oral Diseases: What You Need to Know

As a leading oral and maxillofacial surgical practice in northern New Jersey, the surgeons at Bergen Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery are trained to diagnose and treat a range of diseases of the oral cavity. Here are a few of the conditions we see among our patients:

Infections – Bacteria in the mouth can cause oral infections that affect the gums and teeth, as well as the tongue and insides of the cheeks. Left untreated, these infections can lead to systemic sequela.

Periodontal disease – Periodontal (gum) disease results from bacteria that forms on oral surfaces. Milder forms of periodontitis include gingivitis, while more severe periodontitis can result in tooth loss.

Traumatic injuries – Facial fractures might be caused by a car accident or fall on the playground.

Oral lesions or tumors – Oral cancer is rare, affecting about 45,000 Americans this year, but we biopsy suspicious lesions to determine whether they are malignant or benign and plan a course of treatment.

Many patients will never be affected by infections or oral cavity diseases, but it’s wise to be aware of the red flags that could indicate a problem in your mouth. Those warning signs include:

  • A change in color of the tissue on inside of your mouth
  • A new growth, lump or patch of red or white
  • New sores that become painful and do not resolve within weeks
  • Facial pain, pressure, or burning

When patients experience symptoms like the above, we might prescribe a medication to help treat the growth. For growths or lesions that do not improve with medication, we may then recommend a biopsy—or removal of part of the affected tissue—so that we can further examine it. This procedure is quick and easy, and we can perform the biopsy using a local anesthetic or light sedation. The majority of the time, we use a laser to limit postoperative discomfort and suturing. We’ll work with an oral pathologist for final diagnosis, then determine any necessary further treatment.

If you notice any concerning symptoms, put your mind at ease by calling one of our offices: Hackensack: 201.343.8297, Westwood: 201.664.5656, or Ridgewood: 201.444.4137. We provide exceptional care to patients with a range of issues and can answer any questions you have. Our doctors are board certified by the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and the National Dental Board of Anesthesiology. With our team of skilled surgeons, many years of experience, and our technically advanced procedures, we promise you’ll be in good hands.

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