As part of your dental exam visit, our team can provide an oral cancer screening to help identify areas of concern, so you can obtain treatment in a timely manner. Which is why it is essential you undergo one at least once a year. In today’s blog, your Prairie Village, KS, dentist talks about what to expect from our oral cancer screening!
The Causes and Warning Signs
What causes oral cancer to develop? The disease could be brought on by excessive UV light exposure, serious alcohol consumption, and the use of tobacco products, such as cigarettes and smokeless tobacco. However, the disease can also form in the smiles of people who don’t have these risk factors, which is why a screening every year for all people is so important. Outside of your appointment, you should let us know when you experience sores, lesions, rough patches, and areas with red and white splotches that don’t heal after two weeks. Unexplained weight loss, changes to your voice, and persistent hoarseness and sore throat could be possible symptoms as well. Let us know when these potential symptoms arise, so we can take action.
The Oral Cancer Screening Process
The process involves our team carefully examining your smile visually and with the assistance of advanced damaging technology, so we can identify areas of potentially cancerous or precancerous tissues. If we find such areas, we may conduct a biopsy or refer you to a specialist for further attention. Studies from the Oral Cancer Foundation reveal that at least 53,000 people are diagnosed with the disease every year. Of that number, half will succumb to the disease in just five years. The main factor behind this high mortality rate is the fact that oral cancer is rarely caught in the early stages. But with screenings, including a home review on your own, we can increase the chances of an early diagnosis and a recovery.
Your Checkup and Cleaning
In addition to a screening, we will conduct a dental exam to look for other common signs of trouble, such as tooth decay, gingivitis, gum disease, and even TMJ disorder and bruxism (teeth grinding). We then clean the teeth to remove the harmful plaque and tartar buildup that can threaten your oral health. If you have any questions about how we keep your smile healthy and strong, then contact our office today to schedule a visit!
DO YOU HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT OUR PREVENTIVE VISITS?
We want to offer treatment and exams to keep your smile strong and healthy, so you can avoid major complications down the road. To find out more about our approach to comprehensive dentistry, you can call Dr. Browne in Prairie Village, KS, at 913-901-8585.
