Oral Cancer Screening
 You should visit the dentist every six months to get examined and checked for oral issues. During these routine visits, a dentist checks the mouth for gum problems and cavities. A dentist also checks for a more serious condition known as oral cancer. You probably have felt a dentist feel your cheeks and the inner tissues of the mouth. You may have seen the dentist check the tongue, the floor of the mouth, the roof of the mouth, as well as the throat. These evaluations may have been screening you for cancer. Our dental team at Jerome Riddle DDS offers screening for cancer during routine visits for cleanings or separate appointments. This way, we can identify cancer signs in advance and devise a treatment plan. Oral Cancer Screening ProcessOral cancer affects various areas of the mouth, including the tongue, lips, hard and soft palate, floor of the mouth, as well as throat. Every dental check-up includes an oral cancer screening. The screening involves both a physical and visual inspection. Our dentist first updates your medical history and notes any change that may have occurred to your mouth since the last visit. If a new disease or condition has been diagnosed or you are taking new medications, our dentist takes note of that. When getting your medical history, the dentist will want to know if there are risk factors for cancer of the mouth such as smoking and heavy alcohol consumption. If you drink heavily and smoke, you have a higher chance of getting oral cancer. The dentist also checks for other oral issues you may have including bone loss, periodontal disease, gum pockets, decay, cavities, or toothache. Oral cancer screening involves the areas inside and outside the mouth. Our dentist does an extra-oral exam where they will check the neck and head. The dentist also performs an intra-oral examination involving the floor of the mouth, cheeks, lips, palate, tongue, and gum tissue. The dentist looks for irregular tissue changes such as discoloration or lumps and sores. If the dental professional finds something like a lesion, they may suggest that a biopsy be done. How Often to Get ScreenedWe recommend that you come to our office for screening every six months. This may be the same time you come for your routine checkups and cleanings or a different appointment. Combining routine checkups with oral cancer screening is an ideal way of ensuring that cancer, if present, is caught early. Our dentist will also determine when your next appointment for cancer screening should be depending on the risk factors you may have. Benefits of Cancer ScreeningThe biggest reason you should be screened for oral cancer is that, if it is identified early, it becomes easier to treat. Just like any other form of cancer, oral cancer, if left to advance, makes treatment difficult. Your chances of surviving are higher if you begin treatment early during the initial phases of cancer. Visit us at Jerome Riddle DDS to be screened for cancer of the mouth. Set up your appointment by reaching us at 480-991-4410. |
