A General Dentist Discusses Oral Cancer Screenings

Oral Cancer Screening 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 and answers are listed below. These should help inform you about oral cancer screenings and if you should be getting one on your next trip to your dentist. 

If you are worried about oral cancer, you can discuss your concerns with your dentist. They can answer any questions you may have. They will explain to you how they can screen you for the disease and inform you of all the signs that you should look for in the future so you can catch any issues as soon as they come up. 

What is an oral cancer screening?

An oral cancer screening is an exam done by your dentist or any oral professional that checks for any signs of cancer in your mouth. With gloved hands, a dentist will see if your mouth has any abnormal sores or infections. 

Why are oral screenings done?

Any oral screening is done to try and catch oral cancer in the early stages, where there is a better chance of stopping it. If an oral issue is left unattended for too long, the side effects could be deadly. Life is scary enough, and in some cases, with preventative screenings, you can eliminate some of the scary from coming to light. 

Preventative measures are such a very important part of your health. Everyone should go to their doctor routinely and follow up with any preventative screenings or tests. Taking chances with your health should never be the option you choose. 

Am I at risk of getting oral cancer?

This is a tough question because you never are 100% sure if you have any issues without a proper check-up or a screening, but the following activities can increase your chances of getting oral cancer.

  • Smoking
  • Chewing
  • Heavy alcohol drinking
  • A lot of exposure to the sun (lip cancer)

If you are participating in any of the above activities, getting an oral cancer screening on your next trip to the dentist would be very wise. 

How can I prepare for an oral cancer screening?

You don’t have to do anything special to prepare. Your general dentist can do an oral cancer screening during a routine check-up without much hassle. If you want to get an oral cancer screening, you can mention it when making your next appointment. 

Are there any risks?

There are no apparent risks involved with a simple oral cancer screening. You may be told you have oral cancer, which would result in more visits to the dentist, and for a plan to be made. But overall, there are no risks with an oral cancer screening.

What happens during the test?

Your dentist will look in your mouth for any abnormal growths or sores. Your neck area may also be examined for any lumps or abnormalities. The process is fairly quick and easy to get through. Your dentist will explain to you the process as they go. 

Oral cancer screening overview

Getting an oral cancer screening done on your next trip to the dentist could be the difference between getting a major gum infection or catching it early. The great thing about oral cancer screenings is that they are easy to accomplish. You can do an oral screening on your next visit without any trouble, and you could catch any infections or diseases before they get out of hand. 

Taking proper care of your mouth with oral hygiene is extremely important and getting an oral cancer screening is a part of that. Unfortunately, if an infection in the mouth goes untreated, it could be deadly. So getting a general dentist to look at your mouth professionally could be life-changing. 

Learn more from your dentist

 

Your dentist is the source for you to go to for all of your oral health questions. They will help guide you through all of the steps that go into oral cancer screening and will also inform you of what to do if they feel you may be showing signs of oral cancer. Speak with your dentist today to learn more about the oral cancer screenings available to you. 

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.

Recent Posts

3 Questions To Ask Your Dentist About An Oral Cancer Screening

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…

Why A Regular Oral Cancer Screening Is Important

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…

Are Bleeding Gums A Sign Of Gum Disease?

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…

3 Types Of Treatment For Gum Disease

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,…

Recent Posts

Understanding The Tooth Extraction Process

Understanding The Tooth Extraction Process

Over the years, tooth extraction has become more seamless than it once was. Many advancements have been made, which make the procedure more comfortable and less painful. However, it still helps to know what to expect so you can prepare.Getting a tooth extracted is not as scary as most think. In fact, most extractions only…

Common Reasons For Tooth Extraction

Common Reasons For Tooth Extraction

A general dentist will try and save natural teeth when possible. However, in certain circumstances, tooth extraction is either the only option or the most appropriate one for preserving oral health. The following are some key examples of situations where a dentist might recommend a tooth extraction.Sometimes, a tooth is too damaged or decayed to…