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 to know why you should schedule an oral cancer screening, here are the details.
The dentist can find cancerous or precancerous tissue in the oral cavity and lips. A visual examination always happens during routine dental appointments. This will detect any lesions and sores in the mouth’s tissues. Inspecting the head and neck regions will follow. The dentist will take the patient’s medical history, risk factors, and symptoms.
The dentist will then find the extent or stage of the cancer once it has been detected. The staging tests in an oral cancer screening include an endoscopy. This test uses a small, flexible camera. It can see beyond the mouth area down to the patient’s throat.
An oral cancer screening can also use imaging tests to see if cancer has spread to other areas near the mouth. The dentist can use MRI, digital X-rays, CT scans, and PET (positron emission tomography) scans. The dentist will decide which imaging test is right for the patient. Staging cancer involves using Roman numeral symbols I, II, III, or IV. This helps determine the right treatment for the patient.
An oral cancer screening can start the treatments right away. This depends on the stage and location of cancer. The patient’s preferences and general health also influence the treatment or combination of treatments. Chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation therapy are the common oral cancer treatments. The patient and dentist will have a detailed discussion about this.
Surgery in the mouth cuts away the tumor and some of the healthy tissue. This makes sure there are no cancer cells left. A larger tumor may need more extensive healthy tissue removal. The removal of oral cancer in the neck may involve the removal of tissue and lymph nodes. The surgery will involve neck dissection. This invasive procedure will remove the cancer cells.
Mouth reconstruction follows surgery for tumor removal. This will help the patient regain the ability to eat and speak. Grafts of bone, muscle, and skin will replace the damaged components of the mouth. Dental implant surgery can replace the lost teeth from the tumor removal.
The dentist can share valuable information during an oral cancer screening. All people are at risk. The risk increases if the patient consumes tobacco and alcoholic beverages. Avoiding these substances can lower one’s risk of developing oral cancer. Strengthening the immune system through clean living can help fight off or even prevent oral cancer.
Optimal oral and general health is possible to achieve. Preventive measures are capable of warding off cancer. Working with your dentist can reduce or even eliminate your risk of developing this life-threatening disease. You can start your oral cancer screening at your next dental appointment.
Are you considering having an oral cancer screening in the Mountain View area? Get more information at https://smilesdental.com.
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