Why Is Oral Cancer Screening Essential?

When you schedule your regular appointment with your dentist for cleanings and exams, don’t assume the dentist merely looks at your teeth and mouth during the visit. During the exam, you undergo a comprehensive test looking for various issues besides tooth decay, cavities, or gum disease. The dentist near you also performs oral cancer screening without you realizing they are proceeding with the exam.

You may think what in God’s name is the importance of oral cancer screening during a dental exam. However, are you aware nearly 10,000 fatalities are expected in the United States every year, besides 50,000 diagnosed with oral cancer? When detected in the earliest stages, oral cancer treatments deliver optimal outcomes. Oral cancer occurs on the lip, inside the mouth, salivary glands, tonsils, esophagus, tongue, back of the throat, and soft tissues of the mouth. If you are like most people intimidated by the word cancer, it is essential not to let the intimidation stop you from being examined frequently.

What Are the Symptoms of Oral Cancer?

Seasonal changes are times when most of us develop colds, and some of the symptoms associated with oral cancer are similar to the symptoms of colds. Therefore you must be aware and keep track of where the symptoms began. If you have the symptoms for over two weeks, it is time for you to get oral cancer screening in Fresh Meadows without wasting time.

The symptoms you may experience are a sore throat, challenging or painful swallowing, difficult or painful chewing, jaw pain or stiffness, pain in the tongue, loose teeth, poorly fitting dentures, growths, lumps, or thickening of the skin or lining of your mouth, sores that don’t heal or bleed.

If you experience any symptoms mentioned above, you mustn’t hesitate to schedule a dental exam to perform an oral cancer screening during a routine check-up.

What Is The Oral Cancer Screening Process?

Oral cancer screenings near you are performed in two parts. Firstly you undergo a visual exam and, after that, a physical exam.

During the visual exam, the dentist inspects your face, lips, neck, inside of your nose, and oral cavity. If you wear removable dentures, the dentist requests to remove them to expose all areas inside your mouth. Afterward, the dentist checks for asymmetries, swelling, lumps, colored patches, ulcerations, and other abnormalities.

A physical exam after the visual exam involves checking your head, cheeks, jaw, under the chin, and oral cavity for unusual growths. Challenges when opening your mouth or pain during the examination looking for products may be signs of oral cancer.

What Happens After You Undergo Oral Cancer Screening?

The oral cancer screening process is a preventive measure and not diagnostic. Therefore if the emergency dentist near you locates abnormal lesions, you must return for more regular screenings as a preventive measure. However, the exams aren’t complicated because early diagnosis is the best way to combat oral cancer.

Who Is at Risk of Developing Oral Cancer?

Leading healthcare organizations have listed several factors responsible for increasing oral cancer risk. They include:

1. Use of tobacco in any form, including cigars, pipes, cigarettes, chewing tobacco, snuff, etc.

2. Consuming excessive alcohol frequently.

3. Regular exposure to sunlight making you susceptible to lip cancer.

4. A weakened immune system.

5. The human papillomavirus (HPV).

The number of people diagnosed with mouth and throat cancers has increased significantly over the last several years, although the reasons aren’t clear. More people are associated with the sexually transmitted disease human papillomavirus. If you are concerned about your risks of oral cancer, discuss the same with your dentist to learn how you can reduce your risks and which screening tests are appropriate for you.

Oral cancer screenings are beneficial beyond the exam itself. They allow you an opportunity to talk to your dentist about your concerns and learn ways to manage your risks. If you are apprehensive about undergoing an oral cancer screening in , it helps if you prepare a list of questions before you leave for the dentist’s office near you. The list helps to inquire about everything you want with the dental professional. After completing the exam, your mind will be at ease knowing you are not exposed to any risks making you susceptible to do this dreaded condition affecting countless numbers of people globally.

Remember ignoring oral cancer screenings is not recommended, nor is it advised because dentists are performing it during routine dental check-ups and not asking you to schedule separate appointments to examine yourself. Oral cancer screenings are just as important as regular dental check-ups, and if you get one every six months, you can stay safe and contended that nothing untoward is affecting you in the mouth.