The Importance of Oral Cancer Screening

At Reveal Dental, we do everything we can to help keep our patients’ teeth healthy and clean. That’s why we also offer oral cancer screenings as a way to ensure that there are no early signs of oral cancer and if there are, they can be caught and dealt with immediately. Nearly 50,000 people are diagnosed with oral cancer every year, so regular screenings are important. It’s a good thing they can be so easily done.

Here’s a bit more about how it works…

Who Needs to Be Screened for Oral Cancer?

This might seem like an obvious question: everyone! However, adults are more at risk of developing oral cancer, which means they need to be screened more frequently. This is usually done on an annual basis; once at your initial oral examination, then each subsequent year. The goal is to detect any signs of oral cancer as early as possible, as it greatly increases the rate of survival.

What Are Some of the Risk Factors for Oral Cancer?

There are a number of factors that will increase your risk of developing oral cancer, the first and most obvious one being smoking. Alcohol can also make you more at risk, as well as exposure to the HPV16 virus. However, it’s important to note that the most likely candidates for oral cancer are younger, healthier adults who’ve contracted the HPV virus.

What Are Some of the Signs & Symptoms of Oral Cancer?

When you go in for your oral cancer screening, some of the signs and symptoms your dental team will be looking for include things like:

• Bleeding Sores
• Sores that Don’t Heal
• Discoloration (White or Red) of the Soft Tissues of the Mouth
• Hoarseness or Prolonged Sore Throat
• Numbness in Your Neck, Mouth, or Head
• Loose Teeth
• Pain in Your Tongue
• Stiffness or Pain in Your Jaw
• The Sensation Something is Stuck in Your Throat
• A Lump of Tissue in the Mouth or On the Neck
• It’s Difficult to Chew or Swallow

Contact us today to schedule your oral cancer screening!

If you’re experiencing any of the symptoms mentioned above or simply haven’t had a checkup in a while, come into Reveal Dental for an oral cancer screening. Contact us online today for more information or call (512) 337-2316 to book your appointment!