Arrowhead Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery
Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery
18555 N. 79th Avenue, Suite A-103, Glendale, AZ 85308
P: 623-412-0310   F: 623-412-2188

Oral Pathology

The inside of the mouth is lined with smooth, pink skin called mucosa. Any change to the normal appearance of this tissue could be a sign of a pathological process. The most serious change being a cancerous growth. Some signs that this may be occurring are:

  • Reddish patches (erythroplasia) or whitish patches (leukoplakia) in the mouth.
  • A sore that fails to heal and bleeds easily.
  • A lump or thickening on the skin lining the inside of the mouth.
  • Chronic sore throat or hoarseness.
  • Difficulty in chewing or swallowing.

These changes can be found on the lips, cheeks, palate, tongue, face, neck, and gum tissue around the teeth. Pain is not always present with these lesions. It is important that you do not ignore suspicious lumps or sores. Dr. Allard can perform a complete oral examination to check for these potential lesions