The next time that you go to a dentist, you might want to ask about an oral cancer screening. That will help you see if you are at risk of getting oral cancer. These screenings can catch the earliest signs of cancer before going to an advanced stage. As long as oral cancer is caught early, it can be treated. Keep reading to find out more about this important and potentially lifesaving screening.
About 84% of cases of oral cancer can be caught by a health care provider like a dentist. The good news is that there are also many methods of looking for oral cancer. When the dentist does an oral cancer screening, many tools will be used to look for red flags. That might include mouth sores or discolorations.
The dentist will feel around the soft tissues in the mouth. The goal is to look for abnormalities or potential lumps. If any are detected, a sample of it can be sent to a lab to be tested further. This process allows for early detection.
Many risk factors might mean someone is more likely to get oral cancer. For instance, being over 40 puts someone at risk. Using tobacco or smoking also can cause an oral cancer risk. Plus, alcohol used heavily might make oral cancer more likely. The human papillomavirus (HPV) can also cause it.
Men are more likely to get it than women, and an unhealthy diet also contributes. Of course, sun exposure can also make oral cancer more likely. Someone who has been diagnosed with oral cancer likely has one or more risk factors. However, others might have none of these risk factors at all. This is why a regular oral cancer screening is so vital for overall health.
When a dentist looks for oral cancer, there are several symptoms that they are looking for. That might include odd colors, such as white or red patches in the mouth. There may be spots that do not heal or that bleed constantly. A hard spot or lump is another sign. The patient might have pain or numbness when biting down.
Unfortunately, there is no way to completely prevent oral cancer. However, having a regular oral cancer screening will help to catch it early. The dentist cannot make a diagnosis for the patient. However, samples can be sent to the lab for further testing to see if there is indeed cancer.
No matter what your age or health status, you can benefit from having an oral cancer screening. If there are positive lab results for oral cancer, then treatment can begin. That will give you good chances of surviving this health crisis. Making an appointment for your oral cancer screening today is the first step in getting treatment.
Request an appointment here: https://dentistryonpark.com or call Dentistry on Park, LLC at (781) 443-8131 for an appointment in our Stoughton office.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Oral Cancer Screening in Stoughton, MA.
A general dentist professional would be the most obvious choice of people to go to get an oral cancer screening. Because your dentist has most likely seen you before, they will be able to screen your mouth without any issue.Since a lot of people are not educated on oral cancer screenings, the most common questions…
An oral cancer screening aims to identify any precancerous or cancerous lesions. Studies show that the number of throat and mouth diagnoses has been increasing over the years. That is why the concern for the possibility of having this disease is increasing as well. If you are thinking about seeing your dentist for an oral…
Most people have experienced seeing red on the bristles of their toothbrush, or a pink tint in the sink when they expectorate after brushing. It is normal to feel a bit of concern when noticing blood in the mouth because bleeding gums are a symptom commonly associated with gum disease. However, while chronic bleeding gums…
Gum disease starts with the growth of bacteria in the mouth. When brushing or flossing does not remove this bacteria, harmful plaque accumulates and hardens into tartar. The collection of tartar along the gum line results in gingivitis, which can worsen into periodontal disease. Symptoms of this disease can be mild in the early stages,…
A denture repair should be your top priority when your denture breaks or becomes damaged. This prosthetic device fills out all the empty spaces in your mouth. It is crucial to care for your denture since the missing teeth can compromise your eating habits, speech, and appearance. This dental device is durable enough to handle…
Tooth extraction can be a daunting prospect for anyone, let alone children. Fortunately, our team can help parents learn everything they need to know about tooth extraction. As a parent, it is natural to be concerned about your child's well-being during a medical procedure. Knowing what to expect before, during, and after this common dental…