Oral Cancer
While many consider oral cancer rare, mouth cancer will be newly diagnosed in about 100 new individuals each day in the U.S. alone. A person dies from oral cancer every hour of every day. If you add the subcategory of laryngeal cancers, the rates of occurrence (about 10,000 additional new cases per year) and death are significantly higher.
Every patient gets an oral cancer exam at their hygiene visit. Oral cancers have an 80 to 90% survival rate when found early. Unfortunately, at this time, the majority are found as late-stage cancers, which accounts for the high death rate of about 45% at five years from diagnosis and high treatment-related morbidity in survivors.Â
Burning Mouth Syndrome
Burning mouth syndrome (BMS) is a complex, vexing condition in which a burning pain occurs that may involve your tongue, lips, or widespread areas of your mouth, without any apparent cause.Â
The disorder has been associated with various other conditions, including menopause, nutritional deficiencies, oral thrush and dry mouth (xerostomia), the side effect of medications, allergies, or even anxiety. Some researchers have suggested dysfunctional or damaged nerves as a possible cause.
Treating burning mouth syndrome is highly individualized and depends on your particular signs and symptoms, and the underlying cause or causes if they can be identified.
Trigeminal Neuralgia
Trigeminal Neuralgia is a neuropathic disorder of facial nerves. It causes episodes of intense pain in any or all of the following: ear, eye, lips, nose, scalp, forehead, teeth, or jaw on one side of the face. An estimated 1 in 15,000 people suffer from trigeminal neuralgia, although the actual figure may be significantly higher due to frequent misdiagnosis. T.N. usually develops after 50, more commonly in females, although there have been cases with patients as young as three years of age.
T.N. can bring about stabbing, mind-numbing, electric shock-like pain from just a finger’s glance of the cheek or spontaneously without any stimulation by the patient.Â
Ulcers
An oral ulcer is an open sore inside the mouth caused by a break in the mucous membrane or the epithelium on the lips or surrounding the mouth. The types of oral ulcers are diverse, with many associated causes, including physical or chemical trauma, infection, medical conditions or medications, and cancer and allergy. Ulcers may be maintained by inflammation and secondary infection. Two common oral ulcers are aphthous ulcers (canker sores) and cold sores (fever blisters).
Autoimmune Disease
The oral cavity is like a window to the body because oral manifestations accompany many systemic diseases. Oral manifestations must be properly recognized if the patient is to receive an appropriate diagnosis and referral for treatment.
Diabetes
According to the American Diabetes Association, nearly 24 million people have diabetes. Of that number, unfortunately, 5.7 million people are unaware that they have the disease. Diabetes can affect multiple body parts, including the kidneys, nerves, heart, and mouth.
Poorly controlled diabetic patients are at risk for numerous oral complications such as periodontal disease, salivary gland dysfunction, infection, neuropathy, and poor healing. None of these complications are unique to diabetes. However, their presence may be an early clue to the possible presence of diabetes.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Oral medicine is a dental specialty focused on diagnosing and managing complex oral health conditions beyond routine dental care, including oral cancers, burning mouth syndrome, trigeminal neuralgia, and oral manifestations of systemic diseases like diabetes. You should see an oral medicine specialist if you experience persistent mouth pain without an obvious cause, burning sensations in your tongue or mouth, oral sores that don’t heal within two weeks, chronic dry mouth, or facial nerve pain. Our oral medicine specialists at Northern Westchester Dental Care work as part of our comprehensive team to provide specialized diagnostic services and coordinate with your other healthcare providers when oral conditions relate to systemic diseases.
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Oral cancer screenings are highly effective—early detection provides an 80-90% survival rate, though most cases are unfortunately found in late stages. Every patient at Northern Westchester Dental Care receives an oral cancer exam during hygiene visits. The screening involves thorough visual and tactile examination of your tongue, lips, throat, and all oral tissues, looking for unusual growths, color changes, or persistent sores. We may use special lighting to highlight abnormal tissues and can perform biopsies if needed. With approximately 100 new oral cancer cases diagnosed daily in the U.S., these routine screenings are critical preventive care, especially for higher-risk patients.
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Burning mouth syndrome (BMS) is a complex condition causing continuous burning, scalding, or tingling sensations in the tongue, lips, or mouth without visible tissue changes. It most commonly affects postmenopausal women and can be associated with hormonal changes, nutritional deficiencies, dry mouth, medications, or damaged nerves. Diagnosis requires excluding other causes through comprehensive examination, medical history, blood tests, and sometimes biopsy. Treatment is highly individualized—there’s no FDA-approved specific medication, but options include pain management medications, addressing underlying conditions, custom oral appliances, and hormone therapy. Our specialists develop personalized treatment plans to provide relief from this often frustrating condition.
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Meet Our Experienced Team
Our team of highly trained general and multi-specialist dentists is dedicated to providing top-quality dental care. Expect the best dental experience from our expert team in Yorktown Heights.
A long-term relationship with a comprehensive dentist fosters trust, better communication, and continuity of care across generations. This trust is what makes our practice stand out and ensures that all our patients receive the best possible care.
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Experience Comprehensive Dental Care at Northern Westchester Dental Care
At Northern Westchester Dental Care, we offer a wide range of dental services to meet every individual’s needs. From preventive care to cosmetic and restorative dentistry, our patient-focused approach ensures you receive the highest quality care. With a team of skilled professionals, state-of-the-art technology, and a comfortable, welcoming environment, we are proud to be the trusted choice for family dental care in Yorktown Heights.
Your oral health is a key factor in your overall well-being, and we are here to help you prioritize it. Discover the difference at Northern Westchester Dental Care and see why families trust us for their dental care needs. Schedule your appointment today and take the first step toward a brighter, healthier smile.
Seth Keiles, DMD→
General, Cosmetic, and Restorative Dentist