Oral Cancer Screenings: What You Need to Know?
Did you know oral cancer account for 3% of all cancers in the U.S.A? It includes the cancer of tongue, mouth, and lips. Detection of oral cancer at an early stage is the most efficient way to boost survival and lower defacement and morbidity.
Oral cancer screening is an examination performed by a dentist for identifying any signs of cancer or precancerous health conditions in the mouth.
Signs of Oral Cancer
Oral cancer screenings near you can be done by your family dentist or a highly experienced person. Below are the important signs that you need to look for oral cancer:
- A mouth sore that does not heal
- Red or white patch on the gums
- A change in voice
- A sore throat or feeling of something being stuck at the back of the throat
- A lump in the lips, tongue or cheeks
How to Doctors Conduct Oral Cancer Exam?
More than 49,000 oral cancer cases are diagnosed each year in the U.S.A. Doctors conduct an in-depth oral cancer examination by deeply looking at all the parts of your mouth, including:
- Your lips (both inside and outside)
- Mouth roof
- Your gums and tongue from all sides and underneath
- The inside of your cheeks
- The back of your throat
They do this by using certain instruments and supplies. It includes 2×2 gauze pads, adequate light source, mirrors, gloves, tongue blades, anesthetic nasal spray, otoscope, nasopharyngolaryngoscope, and nasal speculum.
Their primary goal is to look for the areas and lumps that cover all the pink parts inside the mouth. If you ever notice these things on your own, contact your skilled dentist immediately. Your dentist may go a little in-depth for your oral cancer screening test and rinse your mouth with a blue dye before the examination.
If your skilled dentist notices something unusual, you may need another appointment several weeks later. The skilled doctor also suggests that you get a biopsy when he takes a tiny tissue piece from a troublesome region and sends it to a laboratory for testing of cancer cells.
When you get oral cancer screenings in Heath, the experienced dentist uses plenty of methods of identifying early signs of oral cancer with highly advanced technology.
When You Should Get Oral Cancer Screening and How Often?
Regular checkups with your experienced dentist help to check for signs of oral cancer. Everyone should get in touch with a dentist at least once a year to keep their mouth sound and healthy. However, health experts do not always agree on how often individuals should get oral cancer screening testing.
But few people say that if you have a high chance of getting the disease, it’s best to get them checked out as early as possible. Regular check-ups with your dentist help him or her to check oral cancer signs.
Below are the things that make you more likely to have it:
- Having oral cancer earlier
- Chewing betel quid (a smokeless tobacco blend)
- Using tobacco, chewing dip, or snuff
- Drinking a lot of alcohol regularly
- Spending plenty of time in the sun
- Few types of human papillomavirus
Advantages of Oral Cancer Screening
Here are the perks of oral cancer screenings in Heath:
- Simple
- Save Your Life
- Less Costly
An oral cancer screening is simple because it can be performed during the dental cleaning and exam. The dentist checks the lips, gums, cheeks, tongue, and roof of the mouth for oral cancer signs. Sometimes he or she may even check your throat.
Early intervention of oral cancer results in less invasive cancer treatment. Furthermore, at the early stage of development, it can be treated more quickly, and your chances of surviving significantly increase.
Since oral cancer screening is added in your regular dental examination, there is no additional charge. The only time you may need to spend extra money is when oral cancer is detected and needs further treatment.
Remember, not every lump in your mouth turns out to be cancerous. But catching it early means you may get more treatment options. Keep your regular appointments with your experienced dentist so he or she can watch for any signs of a big problem like that of oral cancer. This exam will hardly take less than five minutes.
Looking for oral cancer screenings in Heath, TX? Skilled dental professionals at Arc 32 Family Dentistry are experts on the anatomy of the mouth, neck, and head. By looking beyond the teeth and mouth, they can make a huge difference in a patient’s life.