Oral Cancer Screening In addition to having a dental exam and cleaning, regular visits to the dentist should include oral cancer screenings. These are simple exams that check for mouth cancer. This exam will involve checking the entire head, neck, and oral cavity for any signs of cancer. At Mukilteo Smiles, our dentists will conduct a thorough cancer screening to ensure that you maintain a clean bill of health.Oral Cancer Screening FrequencyNo matter the type of dental appointment you make, it will almost always include an oral cancer screening. If you have had an appointment within the last six months, you may have another screening conducted. However, if your last appointment was less than 6 months, then your dentist may wait to conduct another exam later on. Although the screening may be conducted during all dental appointments, the amount will always be decided by your dental provider, depending on your risk factors. Your oral cancer screening may be conducted either before your dental procedure, during your dental procedure, or after your procedure. What is Involved in an Oral Cancer Screening?The oral cancer screening is comprised of the oral cavity, head, and neck being inspected. During the inspection, the dentist will take a look at, and feel, your teeth, gums, cheeks, lips, neck, face, and tongue. The dentist will look for any signs of irregularities like bumps or discolorations. There also may be signs that could appear as cancer. These include colored patches of skin. Other signs may include lymph node swelling, bumps, or even pain. The Importance of Oral Cancer ScreeningsIt may be difficult to skip the oral cancer screening (and you should not). This will be especially true if you have a family history of cancer. In this case, the dentist will always conduct the screening. The good part of the screening is that it is able to detect cancer early on so that treatment can be started. You can also help eliminate any chances of oral cancer by stopping any bad habits that are associated with oral cancer. These bad habits include too much sun, alcohol, and smoking. If you are an older individual, your risks can double as you age. Oral Cancer Signs to be Aware ofOral cancer can come in many different types, and they all can have different signs to watch out for. However, the signs may not be easily recognized by your dentist or even visible. A good example of this is if numbing that is occurring. Additional signs to be aware of may include changes in voice or having a sore or raspy throat. Plus, swallowing may become difficult and you may have pain as you are chewing. When these signs are experienced, you need to make an appointment with your dentist. Don't Hesitate To Schedule Your Oral Cancer ScreeningOnce you make your oral cancer screening appointment, you will be one step ahead of cancer prevention. By contacting our dental professionals at Mukilteo Smiles, you will have a thorough screening that will also answer all of your questions. By calling (425) 438-2400, you will have a screening that covers all of the bases. |
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