Oral medicine

Care for conditions affecting the mouth, beyond the teeth.

Oral medicine is the non-surgical diagnosis and management of conditions affecting the soft tissues of the mouth, the jaws and orofacial pain — things like mouth ulcers that will not heal, patches on the lining of the mouth, a persistently dry or burning mouth, and long-standing facial pain. At Teeth Q, these concerns are assessed by Dr Ashleigh Toh, a dental surgeon with a Master of Science in Oral Medicine.
Labelled diagram of an open mouth showing the nine soft-tissue sites checked in an oral medicine assessment: hard palate, soft palate and uvula, oropharynx, buccal mucosa, gingiva, dorsum of tongue, lateral tongue border, floor of mouth and labial mucosa, with close-up views of the lifted tongue and the side of the tongue.

Start with the concern, not a diagnosis

Is this what is troubling you?

A sore or ulcer that will not heal

A mouth ulcer or sore area lasting more than two to three weeks.

A white, red or mixed patch

A change in the lining of the mouth you have noticed and want examined.

A burning or painful mouth

Burning, rawness or discomfort, sometimes without an obvious cause. This can include Burning Mouth Syndrome.

A persistently dry mouth

Dryness affecting eating, speaking or comfort.

Long-standing facial or mouth pain

Chronic orofacial pain that has not settled.

What oral medicine covers

Conditions commonly assessed and managed.

Oral mucosal conditions

Recurrent mouth ulcers, oral lichen planus, and other changes in the lining of the mouth — assessment, management and, where appropriate, referral or investigation.

Orofacial and chronic pain

Including Burning Mouth Syndrome and long-standing mouth or facial pain, assessed and managed with a plan tailored to you.

Dry mouth and related concerns

Assessment of a dry mouth (xerostomia), its effects on oral health, and how it can be managed.

When to seek an assessment

When it is worth being seen.

Signs worth checking

A change in the mouth that lasts more than two to three weeks, a sore or patch that is not settling, a mouth that is persistently dry or burning, or facial pain that has not resolved are all reasons to arrange an assessment. Early examination allows the cause to be identified and the right care — or an appropriate referral — to be arranged.

A note on persistent changes

An assessment is needed before any diagnosis or treatment. Persistent changes in the mouth should always be examined. This page is general information and does not replace an individual assessment.

Your assessment

History and examination come before any diagnosis.

A dentist showing a patient a scan of his teeth on a tablet during a consultation at Teeth Q.
  1. 01

    History and examination

    Dr Toh reviews your concerns, medical history and medications, and examines the mouth and surrounding areas.

  2. 02

    Investigations if needed

    Sometimes further tests, imaging or a biopsy referral are appropriate to reach a diagnosis. The reasons are explained first.

  3. 03

    A management plan

    You discuss the likely cause, the options for managing it, the expected course, and any coordination with your doctor or other clinicians.

  4. 04

    Review and ongoing care

    Many oral medicine conditions are managed over time, with review to monitor progress and adjust care.

Led by Dr Ashleigh Toh

Assessed by a dental surgeon with focused oral medicine training.

Background

Dr Ashleigh Toh is a dental surgeon at Teeth Q who holds a Master of Science in Oral Medicine from the Eastman Dental Institute, University College London, and gained experience across Oral Medicine, Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, Urgent Care and Prosthodontics at the National Dental Centre Singapore.

Focus

Her interest is in the diagnosis and management of oral mucosal conditions and chronic orofacial pain. She is available at Matilda Portico (Punggol) and Hougang RiverCourt (Kovan).

Fees

Understand the fees before your assessment.

An oral medicine assessment fee applies and depends on the complexity of your case and any investigations required. Some conditions are managed over several visits. You will be given an estimate before proceeding. Prevailing GST applies at Hougang Green, Matilda Portico, Fernvale Woods and Hougang RiverCourt; Dakota Breeze and Tampines GreenGem do not add GST.
  • Included in the assessment: history, examination of the mouth and surrounding areas, and an explanation of the likely cause and options.
  • May be additional: imaging, laboratory tests or a biopsy referral, and any treatment or ongoing management, which are discussed and estimated before they go ahead.

Common questions

Clear answers before your assessment.

What is oral medicine?+

Oral medicine is the non-surgical diagnosis and management of conditions affecting the lining of the mouth, the jaws and orofacial pain. It focuses on conditions such as persistent ulcers, oral mucosal changes, dry mouth and chronic mouth or facial pain.

Is oral medicine a dental specialty in Singapore?+

Oral medicine is not one of the registered dental specialties in Singapore. At Teeth Q it is provided by Dr Ashleigh Toh, a dental surgeon who holds a Master of Science in Oral Medicine and has focused training in this area.

When should I see someone about a mouth ulcer or patch?+

A mouth ulcer, sore or patch that lasts more than two to three weeks should be examined. Early assessment allows the cause to be identified and the appropriate care or referral to be arranged.

What is Burning Mouth Syndrome?+

Burning Mouth Syndrome is a persistent burning sensation in the mouth, often without an obvious cause on examination. It is assessed and managed as part of oral medicine care, with a plan tailored to the individual.

Do you treat oral cancer?+

Oral medicine involves examining changes in the mouth and, where a lesion needs further investigation, arranging appropriate tests or referral. It is not a substitute for specialist cancer care; any change that concerns you should be examined.

Which clinics is this available at?+

Dr Ashleigh Toh sees patients at Matilda Portico (Punggol) and Hougang RiverCourt (Kovan). The team confirms appointment dates and times before your visit.

Sources and further reading

Evidence-informed patient information.

HealthHub Singapore

Oral health and conditions affecting the mouth. Read more ↗

For referring dentists

Dentists can refer a patient for an oral medicine assessment with Dr Ashleigh Toh. Refer a patient →

Clinical review

Reviewed by Dr Ashleigh Toh, Dental Surgeon, MSc (Oral Medicine), on 10 September 2026. General information here does not replace an individual assessment.

Ready for the next step?

Start with an oral medicine assessment.

Your dentist will review your concerns and history, examine the mouth, explain the likely cause and set out the options — including any tests or referral — before you decide.
Book an assessment →