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It’s an unfortunate truth, but the fact is, there are many different diseases and infections that can affect your mouth and neck. With so many varied maladies, Pasadena oral surgery patients often find themselves searching for more information on what they are, how to identify them, and what to do about them. If you’re concerned about possible health issues in your mouth or neck, schedule an appointment at Foothill Center for Dental Implants and Oral Surgery right away.

Common Oral Health Issues

We offer treatment for a wide range of oral health issues, but some of the more common problems encountered by Pasadena oral surgery patients are:

  • Benign Soft Tissue and Bone Lesions: These non-cancerous tumors don’t spread but they can appear like precancerous lesions
  • Bacterial/Viral/Fungal/Neck Space Infections: Sometimes arising from respiratory infections or dental abscess, these can progress quickly and present as severe sore throat, fever, and neck stiffness or pain
  • Salivary Stones: Caused by thickening and calcification of saliva in a salivary gland or duct, these can block the flow of saliva causing pain and swelling
  • Bone Deficiencies: Often due to bone resorption caused by missing teeth, bone deficiencies can threaten your facial integrity if left untreated
  • Malocclusions: Sometimes referred to as a bad bite, malocclusions are caused by extra, missing, or crowded teeth or misaligned jaws
  • Partial or Complete Edentulism: More commonly known as being without teeth, partial or complete edentulism can severely lessen quality of life and functionality
  • Abscessed Teeth: Most commonly caused by severe tooth decay, an abscessed tooth is a painful infection at the root or in between the gum and a tooth
  • Dry Mouth: Characterized by lack of saliva in the mouth and dry skin, dry mouth can be caused by medications, nerve damage, and diseases such as diabetes and HIV/AIDS
  • Oral Cancer: The most serious of oral diseases, oral cancer often presents in early stages as changes in the appearance of the oral mucosa

Meet Board Certified Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon, Dr. Christopher Chan

At Foothill Center for Dental Implants and Oral Surgery, exceptional patient care is our top priority. Dr. Christopher Chan, Board Certified in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, exemplifies this commitment. He is a fellow of the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons and a member of the California Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, while maintaining active hospital privileges at Huntington Hospital.

His advanced specialty training and affiliations promote the highest standards of patient comfort, safety, and care. Following your procedure, you will receive Dr. Chan’s personal phone number for any questions or concerns. Our friendly and well-trained team will guide you through each step, making your experience as comfortable and stress-free as possible.

Warning Signs of Oral Pathology

The special type of skin, called mucosa, that lines the inside of your mouth is normally smooth and coral pink in color, but if you observe changes in its appearance, these could be warning signs of pathological processes. Be on the lookout for these common indicators:

  • Whitish patches, called leukoplakia, or reddish patches, called erythroplasia, in your mouth
  • Sores that don’t heal and/or bleed easily
  • Thickening of the skin lining or lumps on the inside of your mouth
  • Hoarseness or chronic sore throat
  • Difficulty while chewing or swallowing

These warning indicators can appear on face, neck, cheeks, palate, tongue, and gum tissue around the teeth. Pain may or may not be present with pathology and is oddly not often found even in oral cancer. That said, if you are experiencing pain on your face or inside your mouth that lacks an obvious cause, you may be at risk for oral cancer and should schedule an appointment with us as soon as possible.

Treatment of Oral Diseases and Infections

Pasadena oral surgery patients of Foothill Center for Dental Implants and Oral Surgery can rest assured that oral cancer screening and biopsy of any conspicuous tissue are routine parts of our everyday practice. Even if you’re found to have oral cancer, the bones and soft tissues typically damaged by it can be surgically reconstructed and repaired. Infections in your mouth, jaw, and neck can be treated with relative ease, though the sooner they are detected, the better.

We recommend performing monthly self-exams for oral cancer to keep on top of any suspicious changes that occur. Your mouth is one of your body’s most important means of warning against infections and other diseases. Don’t ignore lumps, sores, and other questionable changes that present themselves. If you see any potential causes for alarm, don’t delay – call Foothill Center for Dental Implants and Oral Surgery today for an appointment.

Pasadena oral surgery patients trust us to treat and prevent oral diseases and infections—shouldn’t you? Call us at (626) 792-3161 to schedule your consultation today!