Oral Cancer Screenings in Midland: Early Detection Saves Lives
Preventing oral cancer is just one of the many reasons to get regular dental exams. This oral cavity examination could potentially save your life by aiding in the early diagnosis of oral cancer. At Knight Dental Care, we perform oral cancer screening during routine dental check-ups. Read on to learn more about this life-saving dental procedure.
What is Oral Cancer Screening?
Oral cancer screening is a professional examination of your mouth to look for precancerous abnormalities or indications of cancer. It seeks early cancer detection when a cure is more likely. The examination is often conducted at your regular dental check-up and cleaning. Other tests could be performed during the same procedure to help identify locations in your mouth where there are abnormal cell growths.
An oral cancer screening includes a thorough inspection of the entire mouth, including the gums, lips, tongue, roof of the mouth, floor of the mouth (under the tongue), and inner lining of the cheeks.
Signs and Symptoms of Oral Cancer to Watch For
During your mouth cancer detection procedure, Dr. Knight will look for the following signs and symptoms:
- Lip or mouth sores that don’t go away
- Red sores or patches inside the mouth
- An unusual bulge or growth
- Having trouble swallowing
- Moving teeth
- Pain in the mouth or ears
Who Can Benefit from Oral Cancer Screening?
Oral cancer is more common in patients with a family history of the disease. Additionally, if you participate in or have a history of any of the following, you may benefit from an oral health examination:
- Use of tobacco products of any form, such as chewing tobacco, snuff, pipes, cigars, and cigarettes
- Excessive alcohol consumption
- Regular exposure to the sun (lip cancer)
- Previous diagnosis of oral cancer
Oral Cancer Examination for Early Detection
Because early identification can greatly enhance treatment outcomes, oral health examination is essential to maintaining your general health. Knight Dental Care is the best place to go for oral cancer screening. We provide comprehensive oral cancer tests to identify any possible problems early. Dr. Knight and the whole dental team are here to provide you with the thorough, kind treatment you need because we care about your overall health.