Oral Cancer Screening
Silverdale, WA
Oral Cancer Screening provided by Dr. Kasey Gillespie, DDS
in Silverdale, WA at Life Long Dental
 If you have a history of oral cancer in your family, you may have a concern of it developing yourself. At Life Long Dental our dentist, Dr. Gillespie, is able to detect all forms of oral cancer which may develop in the lip, tongue, cheek, floor of the mouth, and the hard palate.
There are a few symptoms you should watch for that could be an indication of something serious. These symptoms include mouth sores or blisters, red or white patches on the cheeks, tonsils or tongue, lump on the cheek or tongue, numbers in any area of the mouth and a chronic sore throat.
What is Oral Cancer Screening?
An oral cancer screening is a quick and easy exam of your mouth, face, and neck. During the screening, our professionals will first do a visual examination of your mouth to check if you have any mouth sores or white or red patches on your tongue or cheeks or bumps. Our professionals screen for this type of cancer when they conduct routine dental exams.
They will then feel for irregular changes in tissues or lumps in the oral cavity, head, neck, and face. Our professionals will also look for discolored tissue, sores, and other symptoms or indicators.
Importance of Oral Cancer Screening
Oral cancer is one of the least discussed but most common cancers in the United States today. This disease can affect anyone. However, the risk of getting oral cancer is higher if you are male, over age 40, use tobacco, alcohol, or have a history of head or neck cancer.
Benefits of Oral Cancer Screening
The goal of oral cancer screening is to find mouth cancer as early as possible, when the chances of a cure are higher.
Oral cancer may include multiple noticeable symptoms that can point to the disease. The first sign of oral cancer is a lump that may develop on your lips, gums, or inside of your mouth. If your growth comes with any soreness, swelling, crusts, or eroded developments that have red, white, or speckled coloring then it may point to oral cancer. Oral cancer may cause unexplained bleeding in your mouth. A growth from oral cancer may cause a chronic sore throat and it can also be responsible for causing you slurred speech and numbness. If you notice any of these changes, schedule an exam with our dental professional right away.
Oral Cancer Screening Process
The dentist will first do a visual inspection and check your mouth for signs of cancer or precancerous conditions. Before your screening, remove your dentures or other removable dental equipment. This enables our dentist to examine your whole mouth.
Most dentists will examine your mouth to look for oral cancer during a routine dental checkup. Certain dentists may employ additional tests to aid in the identification of aberrant cell sites in your mouth.
The dentist will then perform a physical exam of your mouth, head, and neck. Touch, according to the Oral Cancer Foundation, is vital for detecting any cancer-causing irregularities in your mouth.
Who Should Get Oral Cancer Screening?
Anyone over the age of 50 will be more likely to get oral cancer. Those born male, will be more than twice as likely to develop oral cancer than females. Smokers will be six times as likely to develop oral cancer compared to nonsmokers. Smoking marijuana also puts you at a higher risk of developing oral cancer. Anyone drinking excessive amounts of alcohol, will be six times and likely to develop oral cancer. Having a family history of cancer and poor dietary habits puts you at an increased risk for oral cancer.
Some patients ask whether healthy people with no risk factors for mouth cancer should be checked for the disease. It is important to be examined for oral cancer since it may help you treat the problem early on and prevent it from developing.
What to Expect During the Screening?
The dental care provider may need to utilize specialized examination devices during an oral cancer screening. An oral brush biopsy, for example, removes cells for testing in a painless way. An enhanced oral assessment system tool based on fluorescent light for detecting dubious oral tissues. An oral lesion screening uses a mouth rinse to help in the visual evaluation of the tissues in your mouth.
Common FAQs About Oral Cancer Screening
How Long Does an Oral Cancer Screening Take?
An oral cancer screening only takes about five minutes to perform.
Is Oral Cancer Screening Painful?
Oral cancer isn't something to be taken lightly. Early diagnosis is the key to maximizing the success of treatment. The testing and screening for oral cancer is quick, simple, and virtually painless.
What Happens if Something Suspicious is Found During the Screening?
If our professionals find suspicious tissue, an oral brush biopsy will be conducted to analyze the cells.
If you do develop oral cancer, it can be treated. Targeted therapy is a new treatment option. This alternative makes use of prescription drugs that precisely target and attack cancer cells. When diagnosed, your available treatments will depend on your general health, where the cancer began, the tumor's size and type, and whether the cancer has spread. Following your diagnoses we will refer you to a specialist who can choose the best individual care plan for you.
How Often Should I Get an Oral Cancer Screening?
If you develop any kind of cancer it will spread rapidly. It is especially important to follow good oral hygiene habits and be sure to visit your dentist every six months for an exam and a cleaning if you are concerned about developing oral cancer. When the cancer is found early, it can be treated with radiation therapy or surgery.
Why Choose Life Long Dental for Oral Cancer Screening?
At Life Long Dental our dental health professionals encourage preventative dentistry. We educate all of our patients about the positive effects of taking care of your dental health before, saving you complications in the future as much as possible. If oral cancer is a higher risk for you, schedule your oral cancer screening now. Let us be your trusted dental health care provider by calling (360) 633-2377 to speak with a consultant. |
