Oral Cancer Screening in Gilbert, AZ
The primary reason for routine examinations every six months is to check the condition of your teeth. However, our dentist may detect other problems like gum disease, developing diabetes, and oral cancer. Since it’s vital to find this type of cancer as soon as possible to save lives, we conduct oral cancer screenings at Smiles of Gilbert Dentistry during examinations.
Signs of Oral Cancer
During a dental examination, dentist may find indications of oral cancer that include:
- Red or white sores
- Lumps or firm spots in soft tissues of the mouth
- Lumps or firm spots along the neck or throat
- Dark patches on the back of the tongue
Oral cancer can be a silent killer because people don’t always have symptoms in the early stages. However, if they do, the symptoms may include:
- Lip or mouth sores that don’t heal
- Lumps inside the mouth
- Difficulty swallowing
- Ear or mouth discomfort
- Loose teeth
If one of our dentist in Gilbert, AZ finds suspicious sores or lumps in your mouth, they may do a biopsy to confirm their suspicions. After diagnosing it, cancer treatment should begin right away. During the early stages, oral cancer is curable, but the chances of survival diminish after diagnosing it in the latter stages.
The Risk Factors of Oral Cancer
Although both men and women get oral cancer, it is more often diagnosed in men 45 and over. The other risk factors for this disease include:
- Smoking
- Heavy drinking
- HPV (human papillomavirus)
- Poor diet
- Poor oral hygiene
- Exposure to UV light
Our dentist near you will refer you to an oncologist to begin treating the cancer.
What Happens During a Screening?
When one of our dentist at Smiles of Gilbert Dentistry does an oral cancer screening near you, they will visually and physically examine your mouth. As they are looking at your teeth, they will look for the indicators mentioned above.
If you spot lesions that are not healing or have a sore throat that isn’t going away, contact our dentist in Gilbert, AZ for an examination. An oral cancer screening at our office can save your life.
