Oral Cancer Screening – Denton, TX
A Few Minutes Could Save Your Life
Did you know that oral cancer claims one life every hour of every day in the United States? This year, about 53,000 people are expected to be newly diagnosed with this disease, and only about 57 percent of them will likely still be alive five years from now. Oral cancer may not be as common as breast or some other cancers, but it certainly deserves our attention so that we can try to reduce the mortality rate. Luckily, Dr. Ahir at Prime Dentistry has the training and experience to recognize oral cancer in its early forms when it is much easier to treat. That’s why we perform an oral cancer screening in Denton at every dental checkup and cleaning appointment.
Why Choose Prime Dentistry for Oral Cancer Screenings?
- Comfortable and Patient-Focused Approach to Dentistry
- Thorough Explanations to Ensure All Concerns Are Addressed
- State-of-the-Art Dental Technology Available
Signs of Oral Cancer
Although oral cancer isn’t particularly difficult to diagnose, it can be challenging for the untrained eye to see the symptoms, especially early on in development and if you’re trying to examine yourself. With us, the signs of oral cancer become clear:
- Lip or mouth sores that don’t heal even after two weeks.
- Areas of thickened tissue inside the mouth.
- Lumps or bumps in the mouth, neck, or jaw.
- Red, white, or speckled patches of tissue.
- Numbness in the tongue.
- Loose teeth.
Because some of these symptoms can be indications of other conditions, you need to contact us for an evaluation if you experience or notice any of these.
What Your Dentist Looks for in Oral Cancer Screenings
An oral cancer screening consists of a visual and tactile exam that lasts only a few minutes during your six-month dental checkup. In this short amount of time, we search for the tell-tale signs of oral cancer, locating any areas of concern, such as the back of the mouth where early signs often show up. In addition to our findings, we may also ask you about any unusual symptoms you’ve been having and any changes in your medical history to make sure that all the bases are covered.
What to Expect During an Oral Cancer Screening
Unlike screenings for many other cancers, an oral cancer screening is completely painless. We start by checking the inside of your mouth, particularly the gums, soft and hard tissues, and tongue. To get a better view of the back of the mouth, our dentist may need to move your tongue out of the way. Then, they gently feel your jaw, throat, and neck. Should we find anything of concern, we’ll send you to a doctor for further diagnostic testing.
Coming to your checkup twice a year to have an oral cancer screening can lead to an earlier diagnosis, which can mean a much greater likelihood of beating this disease. If it has been a while since you’ve been to the dentist, contact our Denton dental office to schedule your appointment today!
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