Mouth Sores & Lesions: Diagnosing and Treatment - SLUCare Otolaryngology

Maxillofacial Pathologist, Dr. Richard J. Vargo, discusses diagnosing sores and lesions in and around the mouth. Sometimes certain symptoms arise such as red or white lesions, lumps and bumps, oral pain, or burning sensation when eating spicy foods. Treatment of these conditions after the diagnosis can involve anti-inflammatory medicines, steroid injections and gels. Dr. Vargo also recognizes the importance of getting some lesions checked out to eliminate the possibility of cancer, despite there being a low chance of it being cancer it is still important to eliminate this possibility by getting pre-cancerous lesions looked at.

Diseases associated with Mouth Sores & Lesions include erosive lichen planus, mucous membrane pemphigoid which is an oral auto-immune disease. These both could present as desquamative gingivitis which present as red and inflamed gums.

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Dr. Richard J. Vargo specializes in clinical oral and maxillofacial pathology. He offers diagnosis and management of oral diseases, including mouth sores and inflammation, yeast and fungal infections, diminished saliva production and dry mouth, and precancerous lesions. He performs soft tissue biopsies, steroid therapy for oral ulcers and inflammatory conditions, and oral cancer screenings.

To schedule an appointment with a SLUCare physician, please call (314) 977-4440.

SLUCare Physician Group is a patient-centered network of more than 500 health care providers on staff at Saint Louis University School of Medicine. As part of an academic medical practice, SLUCare physicians are experts in their respective fields, providing specialty care for even the most complex medical conditions. SLUCare physicians practice in 47 different hospitals and clinics throughout the St. Louis region, making high-quality, advanced care convenient for you and your family.