Oral Cancer Screening in Lake Worth, TX Oral cancer screenings are a part of almost every dental
exam. Unfortunately, you can be affected by different types of oral cancer which can
affect various parts of your mouth. This is not directly related to your teeth, of course, but
our dentist can provide an oral cancer screening easily, taking only a few seconds. If there any
concerns, our dentist would recommend any treatment or follow-up testing needed at that time.
Oral cancer can impact various areas such as your tongue, lips, cheeks, mouth floor, gums, and
soft and hard palates. Our dental professionals at HomeTown Dental - Lake Worth Dentist & Braces can give you
more information about oral cancer screenings.Why Screening for Oral Cancer is ImportantOral cancer screenings are a very simple and quick process. These provide a great way to determine any preliminary risks or early symptoms of oral cancer. Diagnosing oral cancer in the early stages allows for a variety of treatment options. For example, depending on how severe the cancer is, we will recommend radiation therapy, surgery, targeted therapy, or chemotherapy. Diagnosing and treating early greatly increases your chances of survival because according to Mayo Clinic, stage 1 and 2 oral cancer have between 70% and 90% higher survival rates compared to later stages. We can also give you information on health and nutrition in general, so you can prevent any further issues. Risk FactorsAnyone can develop oral cancer. There are a few risk factors to consider that can exacerbate the likelihood of development, even if you are an overall healthy person. Behaviors like drinking alcohol regularly or using any forms of tobacco, greatly increase chances of oral cancer. There are some risk factors that you cannot control but that you should be aware of. For instance, some of these include the presence of another disease, sun exposure, a weakened immune system, genetics, and a family history or previous cancer diagnosis. Oral Cancer Screening ProcedureYou are actually able to do some preliminary screening by yourself. Check for chronic sores, loose teeth, bleeding gums, pain or difficulty when swallowing, earaches, abnormal growths, numbness, weight loss, and tongue or jaw pain. These are not necessary always cancer-related, but you should still address any of these symptoms with our dentist. We recommend coming into our office for a more in-depth check but knowing what to look for by yourself is important, nonetheless. When our dentists examine your mouth, they will check for signs of oral cancer. They will look for any noticeable lesions, sores, or other symptoms. If you have any of these symptoms, and the cause is not known, our dentist may refer you to a specialist. They may also recommend a biopsy of the tissue showing signs of cancer which allows for a closer examination at a cellular level. At this point, the examiner can identify the presence of cancer cells or dismiss any worry. Our dentist may also recommend a follow-up test to get a more accurate diagnosis. This may include a CT scan, x-ray, PET scan, endoscopy, or MRI scan. There are different situations where each of these would be required. After the initial oral cancer screening, our dentist will explain the results and recommend any necessary follow-up testing. To get more information about oral cancer screening or to schedule an appointment for a screening, contact HomeTown Dental - Lake Worth Dentist & Braces at (682) 516-3532 today. |