An oral cancer screening is a simple and painless preventive measure to help keep your mouth, teeth, gums, and jaw healthy. At River Vista Dentistry, an oral cancer screening is more than just an exam. It’s also a chance for you to speak with Dr. Marshall about your oral health concerns and for you to reduce your risk of developing oral abnormalities. Get in touch with our front office to schedule your oral cancer screening.
How is an oral cancer screening performed?
During an oral cancer screening, Dr. Marshall will physically and visually examine the inside of your mouth. When Dr. Marshall is evaluating your mouth, he is looking for signs of cancer or symptoms of oral cancer. To thoroughly ensure oral cancer detection, Dr. Marshall will likely pull, pat, and touch areas of your mouth, lips, tongue, neck, and jaw.
When should I get an oral cancer screening?
When diagnosed early, oral cancer is highly treatable and may result in better treatment outcomes. While it is best to receive an oral cancer screening every two years or before abnormalities develop, if you notice signs of oral cancer developing, contact an oral cancer dentist near you to schedule a screening. Some symptoms of oral cancer include:
- Mouth or Tongue Sores
- Oral Discoloration
- Loose Teeth
- Pain in the Tongue or Jaw
- Lump on the Lips or Neck
How accurate is an oral cancer screening?
An oral cancer screening provides Dr. Marshall or another oral cancer dentist the opportunity to examine and determine if there have been any oral developments that seem cancerous or abnormal. Suppose there is oral cancer detection. In that case, you may be referred to oral cancer testing and come back for a follow-up to examine the questionable area and create a personalized treatment plan based on findings. If oral cancer runs in your family or you have habits that may increase your chance of oral cancer, it is important to schedule regular oral cancer screenings.