Preventing Oral Cancer: Screenings and Check-Ups

Oral Cancer Screening Mountain View, CA

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 Cancer Foundation, approximately 25% of those diagnosed exhibit no risk factors at all.

Cancer of the mouth is easier to treat and remove if it is detected early. However, there may not be symptoms evident when the cancer is in its early stages, or the symptoms may be too subtle to detect easily. Dentists typically perform oral cancersscreenings during routine check-ups. If there are troubling signs upon examination, further testing may be needed.

Oral screenings

Dentists recommend that patients perform a monthly self-check of the mouth to look for signs of mouth cancer. A formal screening also typically takes place during an annual or semi-annual dental examination. Therefore, it is important to have these on a regular basis.

Self-check

A patient can perform a self-check by looking at the mouth in a mirror and looking for unusual signs. These may include lumps in the mouth, white patches or sores. Any unusual symptoms should be evaluated by a dentist as soon as possible.

Dental exam

A dentist performing a screen for oral cancer during a dental examination will be looking for the same troubling signs. The screening includes both a visual examination and palpation, during which the dentist feels inside the mouth manually for unusual lumps or bumps.

Oral screening from a dentist has several advantages over a self-check. For one thing, the dentist has an objective view of the mouth that is difficult to achieve with a self-check. For another, the dentist has specific training at recognizing abnormalities that may prove to be oral cancer. However, because harmless abnormalities can mimic the appearance of malignant ones, further tests may be needed to detect and diagnose cancer of the mouth.

Further tests

There are several different screening tests that dentists may perform to detect oral cancer. One of these is the light test. The dentist shines a special light in the patient's mouth. Abnormal areas of possible malignancy show up white under the light, while normal tissue takes on a dark aspect.

Another screening test is a dye test. This requires the patient to rinse their mouth with a special blue dye. Normal cells do not take up the blue dye, but abnormal cells might, meaning that the area of abnormality may turn blue because of the dye.

However, not all abnormalities in the mouth are cancerous. To determine whether the lesion is cancerous or precancerous, the dentist must take a biopsy. This involves gently scraping away some cells and sending them to a lab for analysis under a microscope. Microscopic examination can demonstrate definitively whether the cells are malignant.

Conclusion

Oral cancer that is not diagnosed early can spread to other areas of the body. This makes it much harder to treat. Catching cancer early typically improves the long-term prognosis, i.e., chance for recovery.

Request an appointment here: https://smilesdental.com or call Smiles Dental Care at (650) 563-1180 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

A General Dentist Discusses Oral Cancer Screenings

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…

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…

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

Teeth Whitening: A Common Cosmetic Dental Service

Teeth Whitening: A Common Cosmetic Dental Service

Professionals who perform cosmetic dental services know that a confident smile is a universal symbol of health and happiness. Unfortunately, many people experience teeth discoloration and staining over time. This is where teeth whitening, a widely sought-after cosmetic dental service, can help. This review discusses teeth whitening, including the different methods, benefits, and processes and…

Tooth Replacement With Partial Dentures

Tooth Replacement With Partial Dentures

A tooth replacement procedure is vital if you are missing teeth. You will be happy to know that there are multiple options available to restore your smile. If you are missing a few or many teeth but have healthy natural teeth remaining, partial dentures make a lot of sense. This solution can improve your appearance…