When you see our team for a checkup, in addition to looking at your teeth and gums for signs of trouble, we also conduct an oral cancer screening. With this screening process, we can identify areas that are potentially cancerous or precancerous. In today’s blog, your Prairie Village, KS, dentist talks about our oral cancer screenings.
The Common Causes and Warning Signs
What causes oral cancer to form? Often, common causes include excessive exposure to UV light, excessive alcohol consumption, or tobacco use. This is also more likely to form in the smiles of older adults. However! Younger people can develop the disease and this can also occur in smiles of people who don’t drink or smoke, and who wear UV protection when outdoors. Which means adults of all ages should see our team for a checkup visit and screening every six months.
You should also be aware of potential warning signs. Often, people with the disease may repot sores and lesions in the mouth that don’t heal after two weeks, as well as rough patches and areas with red and white splotches. You could experience changes to your voice, persistent sore throat or hoarseness, or sudden unexplained weight loss. When you notice one or more of these potential warning signs, you need to see our team right away!
The Oral Cancer Screening Process
With the screening process, we will use advanced digital technology to thoroughly examine the smile and highlight areas that are potentially cancerous or precancerous. Once we do, our team will order a biopsy of the tissues to see if you have oral cancer and need treatment. We can refer you to a specialist too, so you can start treatment. According to the Oral Cancer Foundation, over 53,000 people will be diagnosed this year alone, and half will succumb to the disease in just five years. But the main reason for the high mortality rate is the lack of an early diagnosis, which makes a checkup much more important!
Your Dental Exam
Along with screening for oral cancer, our team can also watch for other oral health issues that need attention, such as tooth decay, dental infection, gingivitis, and even gum disease. We also look for TMJ disorder and bruxism (teeth grinding). In the same visit, we also protect your smile with a dental cleaning. If you have any questions about how we screen for oral cancer, then contact our team today to learn more.
DO YOU HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT OUR EXAMS AND SCREENINGS?
Our team wants to help you enjoy better oral health and avoid the risk of serious complications. To find out more about keeping your smile strong and healthy, you can call Dr. Browne in Prairie Village, KS, at 913-901-8585.
