A General Dentist Discusses Oral Cancer Screenings

Oral Cancer Mountain View, CA

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://smilesdental.com or call Smiles Dental Care at 6505631180 for an appointment in our Mountain View office.

Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Oral Cancer Screening in Mountain View, CA.

Recent Posts

Why You Should Schedule An Oral Cancer Screening With Your Dentist

You can have an oral cancer screening on your next dental visit. This type of screening is not invasive at all. It is a quick process at the dental clinic. Any type of cancer is hazardous to your health. Working with your dentist to prevent it is worth the time and effort. If you want…

Preventing Oral Cancer: Screenings And Check-Ups

The risk for oral cancer increases with the use of tobacco or heavy consumption of alcohol. People with human papillomavirus, a sexually transmitted disease, are also at increased risk, as are people over the age of 55. Nevertheless, risk factors are not always present prior to a diagnosis of mouth cancer. According to the Prevent…

Preventive Measures For Oral Cancer From A General Dentist

Many people are more focused on preventing cavities than oral cancer. Too many people do not take the steps to avoid this issue. However, this form of cancer does not have a lot of awareness, including how to prevent it. Oral cancer, including in the tongue, cheeks, throat, or tonsils, can be caused by many…

Early Signs Of Oral Cancer

Early detection and treatment of oral cancer are very important. It can help prevent the disease from spreading to other areas of the body or developing further. A large percentage of people in the United States survive from oral cancer after a couple of years. As long as this condition is caught early, the chances…

Recent Posts

Reasons To Get A Smile Makeover

5 Reasons To Get A Smile Makeover

A smile makeover allows you to address concerns you may have with your smile, including but not limited to damaged teeth, stained teeth, missing teeth, short teeth, misalignments of the teeth and jaw, and a gummy smile. This review discusses the benefits of a smile makeover.The most notable benefits of getting a smile makeover include…

Tips For Preventing Gum Disease

3 Tips For Preventing Gum Disease

The CDC states that gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, is one of the leading oral infections in the United States. In addition, the National Institute of Health cites it as the most common culprit for adults losing teeth. Because the early stages of periodontal disease often do not have noticeable symptoms, many patients…