Oral medicine refers to the oral health care of patients with medically-related disorders of the oral and maxillofacial region. It integrates medicine and dentistry to promote optimum health of patients. Oral medicine specialists utilize clinical and diagnostic techniques for the diagnosis and non-surgical management of medically-related oral disorders and conditions, such as:
- Diseases of the oral mucous membranes or mouth lining and lips
- Salivary gland diseases and dry mouth disorders
- Facial pain syndromes and oral or facial nerve pain
- Halitosis, or bad breath
- Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders and jaw muscle conditions
In addition, oral medicine specialists provide dental care for patients with complex medical problems.