Oral Cancer Screening
Surprise, AZ
Like any other type of cancer, early detection and treatment of oral cancer are essential for achieving outstanding results.
However, most healthcare systems have no official oral cancer screening procedures.
At Surprise Smiles, we strive to fill the gap in oral cancer screening by offering oral screening services as part of our dental examination during your appointment.
At our office in Surprise, AZ, we have invested in modern oral cancer screening techniques that will help our skillful dentists to detect oral cancer possibility at an early stage.
What Is Oral Cancer?
Oral cancer, also called mouth cancer, is a type of cancer affecting any part of the mouth or the oral cavity. Oral cancer refers to cancer of the tongue, jaw, lips, cheeks, or roof of the mouth.
Oropharyngeal cancer is oral cancer that affects part of the throat, neck, and pharynx.
Oral Cancer Symptoms
Oral cancer has many signs and symptoms. Some are visible while others are not. These symptoms include:
| • | Sores that just will not heal |
| • | Pain or numbness in your lips |
| • | A sore throat that will not go away |
| • | Lumps in any area of the mouth |
| • | Difficulty chewing, swallowing or breathing |
| • | Difficulty moving your tongue or jaw |
| • | Changes in the jaw, including tooth loss |
What Are Oral Cancer Risk Factors?
Certain factors can put you at an elevated risk of oral cancer development.
Avoid using tobacco or mouthwash with high alcohol quantities, high exposure to sunshine, and diagnosis of oral cancer in the past places you at high risk.
It is highly recommended that you contact us immediately when you fall into any of the listed categories.
Oral Cancer Screening Procedure
During your first visit, we will conduct an examination and look at your medical history.
You will then proceed to a visual, oral cancer screening with extra-oral tissues.
Your neck will be checked for any enlarged lymph nodes.
Our dentists will use modern screening technologies that use fluorescent light to help highlight any tissue abnormality.
If there is any abnormality in the oral cavity, a region biopsy will be conducted to help determine if the cells are benign or malignant. A biopsy is a quick, painless, and affordable way to check for cancer.
If you notice anything unusual in between your regular visits, contact the office and schedule an appointment as soon as possible. Left untreated, oral cancer can grow and spread to other parts of your body, and can be life threatening. Early detection could save your life.
Prevention of Oral Cancer
While you can't always prevent oral cancer, you can take measures to lower your risk.
| • | Brush and floss regularly |
| • | Quit smoking or chewing tobacco |
| • | Drink alcohol in moderation, if at all |
| • | Exercise and eat a healthy diet full of nutritious foods including beans, cruciferous vegetables and dark leafy greens. Garlic is also excellent for lowering your cancer risk. When you cook, grill or bake your food rather than frying it. |
| • | Get regular dental exams |
What Are the Benefits of Early Detection of Oral Cancer?
Our dentists can detect abnormal changes in the tissue when cancer is still in its earliest, less painful, and hard-to-detect stages, even when you are not experiencing any physical damage or pain.
For instance, in the recent research findings by the National Cancer Institute, patients diagnosed with oral cancer in their earliest stages have a survival rate of 80%.
The same study also revealed high-risk patients subjected to three oral cancer screening rounds had their mortality rate drop by 34%.
Oral cancer screening will help prevent oral cancer from spreading to other body parts.
How Frequently Should A Patient Have an Oral Cancer Screening?
You should have an oral cancer screening yearly if you are over 40 years old.
It is recommended that those 39 years of age and younger have an oral cancer screening once every three years.
Oral cancer screening will help with the early detection of oral cancer increasing the chances of it being treated.
Schedule Your Oral Cancer Screening with Your Surprise, AZ Dentist Today!
In case you have not visited a dentist in the past two years, or you suspect you have oral cancer risk factors, come to Surprise Smiles. We are here to offer you the proper care. Call us today at (602) 842-4864 to schedule an oral cancer screening.
