We check the soft tissues of your mouth at your first comprehensive exam and every checkup. The mouth is lined with mucosa, which should be smooth and pink. Changes in color or texture on the gums, tongue, lips, face or neck may signal a problem. The most serious is oral cancer, but most changes are less serious.
Common conditions
- Geographic tongue (benign migratory glossitis): patches of the tongue lose their small bumps, creating red, map-like areas that come and go over hours or months and can make the tongue sensitive.
- Median palatal cyst: a fluid-filled sac in the middle of the palate that can be quite uncomfortable.
- Hairy tongue: bacteria or yeast overgrowth that makes the tongue look dark and hairy, usually from poor oral hygiene, long-term antibiotics or head and neck radiation. It may or may not need treatment.
Treatment
Most changes are uncomfortable or unsightly but not life-threatening. But oral cancer is on the rise, especially among men, and survival is around 80% when it’s diagnosed promptly. A biopsy is the only way to know for sure, so don’t wait if you notice a change.
For less serious problems, treatment may include:
- Antibiotics for bacterial infection or persistent soreness
- Chlorhexidine rinse (Peridex): a prescription mouthwash that kills more bacteria than regular mouthwash and freshens breath
- Minor surgery to remove cysts or non-cancerous growths, which can improve comfort, breathing and speech
Screenings
Oral cancer screening is part of your comprehensive and checkup exams. It’s painless and takes a few minutes, and a special light helps reveal cell changes. If we see anything concerning, we take a small biopsy for lab review and plan treatment from the results.