Wondering what the signs of oral cancer are? General dentists are specifically trained in performing oral cancer screenings and thus know exactly what to look for. Dental patients can also check for signs in between screenings.
Learning how general dentists perform oral cancer screenings will help dental patients know what to expect when undergoing this important test. The first step is thoroughly examining the patient's tongue, including underneath the tongue. Next, it is necessary to feel inside of the patient's cheeks, look at and feel the top of their mouth, examine their tonsils and then lastly, feel the neck for any signs of enlarged lymph nodes.
According to the mayo clinic, the goal of oral cancer screening is to identify mouth cancer early, when there is a greater chance for a cure.
The list below includes some of the more common symptoms general dentists look for that are directly associated with oral cancer.
The fact that general mouth sores tend to be quite common in many dental patients, means that many sores found in a patient's mouth are not going to be cancerous. Because it can be difficult for patients to know whether a sore is cancerous or not, it is necessary for a general dentist to perform a thorough oral examination in order to identify any unusual sores that may indicate oral cancer. If any questionable sores are found, further testing is necessary to determine if the sore is indeed cancerous.
When a patient has red patches or white patches in their mouth, it is a sign that there is abnormal cell growth taking place. When any red or white patches remain in a patient's mouth for at least two weeks, these patches need to be examined by a dentist. These patches may be found on the lips, the gums, the tongue, the cheeks and the tonsils. It is possible that any red or white patches found could be due to a fungal infection, making a diagnosis necessary. In other scenarios, the patches may be an indicator that oral cancer is present or developing.
While many dental patients experience some degree of pain in their mouth from time to time, consistent pain is a sign that something is wrong. General mouth pain and even ear pain that does not go away may be a sign of oral cancer. Dental patients who experience pain when swallowing may also have this type of cancer. Anytime a patient experiences pain in or around their mouth area, it is necessary to make an appointment with an experienced general dentist to undergo an oral cancer screening as soon as possible.
Dental patients who are in need of an oral cancer screening can simply make an appointment with a general dentist. The screening procedure is not at all painful and does not take long to perform. The overall goal is to catch oral cancer in its earliest stages, as this type of cancer is often successfully treated when caught early enough.
Request an appointment here: https://bitterrootvalleydentalcare.com or call Bitterroot Valley Dental Care at (406) 625-0382 for an appointment in our Stevensville office.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Oral Cancer Screening in Stevensville, MT.
During a dental visit, it would be a good idea to get an oral cancer screening to see if you are at risk of developing oral cancer. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), about 49,700 people in the United States are diagnosed with oral cancer every year. Getting screened for this disease will…
Avoiding gum disease at all costs is essential, as once someone is diagnosed with this dental-related disease, it means that they are in need of additional dental treatment to restore their good oral health. Even though gingivitis is the mildest form of gum disease, it can still cause harm to one’s overall good oral health.Thinking…
Are you thinking about making an appointment with a laser dentist? This recent form of dentistry is becoming more common in both preventive and restorative care. It is helpful to learn more about what this professional can do and how visiting one can benefit your oral health and smile. In laser dentistry, the dentist can…
Thinking about choosing laser dentistry? The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved laser dentistry as a treatment option for several dental conditions. Common conditions include treating gum disease, root canal infections and removing canker sores.Understanding what laser dentistry can treat is the first thing someone needs to do when considering this dental treatment option.…
The general dentist uses tooth fillings to repair tooth decay so that it does not…
Cosmetic dentistry is a branch of dentistry that focuses primarily on issues with the appearance…
The headaches caused by TMJ disorders are often confused with tension headaches due to their…
Taking good care of teeth protects them from the many things that can damage them…
You should find the ideal emergency dentist before you need any urgent dental care.
During the meeting, the general dentist will clean off tartar that usually forms on the…
