The Importance of Oral Pathology screening

A seasoned oral and maxillofacial surgeon with over 20 years of experience, Christopher “Chris” C. Babcock, DMD, MD, has dedicated his career to providing quality dental care to his patients and holds membership in several professional organizations, including the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. Dr Christopher C. Babcock, MD, currently works as a surgeon at Louisville Oral Surgery and Dental Implants, where he performs a range of procedures, including dental extractions, wisdom teeth removal, dental implants, and oral pathology.

Oral pathology is a specialized field of dentistry that focuses on identifying and managing oral diseases. Major categories of oral diseases include tooth loss, gum disease, cancer, cavities, and infections. An oral pathologist, a highly trained dentist, can diagnose the underlying cause of symptoms such as bleeding, sensitivity, and discomfort in a patient’s mouth. You may have developed an oral disease if you experience difficulty in speaking, swallowing, chewing, and smiling or if you are experiencing gum pain.

Dental care and treatment are anchored by oral pathology. If the cause of symptoms has been identified, it is possible to tailor an effective treatment to address both the symptoms and the cause. Administering proper treatment on time also prevents adverse complications of oral diseases. Individuals who smoke, consume alcohol, consume an unhealthy diet, or have poor oral hygiene are at high risk of developing oral diseases.

Visiting your dentist for an oral and maxillofacial examination and treatment can help prevent oral diseases. You can have two or more appointments with your dentist annually.