Oral Cancer Screening It can be very scary for a person to find out they have cancer, especially in the mouth. Oral cancer can be a real problem if it is not caught by a routine dental exam. It is a big problem and tough to treat, but our dentistry All Star Dental Care is well equipped to take on oral cancer, and we will be able to get you back to health in no time.Oral Cancer is an uncontrollable tumor growth on your lips, cheeks, tongue, throat, or mouth. They typically start as sores in the mouth that will not go away, despite treatment. The symptoms of oral cancer can include bumps on the mouth, white patches in the mouth, heavy bleeding, and sore throat. Who is at Risk?Mostly, people who smoke are at a much higher risk of oral cancer. Oral cancers can also happen if you drink too much alcohol. If cancer runs in your family, then you have that added risk as well. How do we Screen For ItWe often screen for cancers with a routine dental exam. Oral screening has its own procedure that consists of looking for any lumps inside the mouth, head, throat, and neck. When we examine your mouth for signs of cavities, we also look for any patches of discolored skin or any lumps. Sometimes we dye your mouth with a special dye, and any discolorations will appear brightly against the dye. If a lump is found, then we focus on starting a biopsy that will help figure out more information about that suspicious area. Most biopsies are done with scalpels, taking pieces of the area off and examining them to determine if it is cancer. Other biopsies can be done with lasers. This typically includes a follow-up visit to see if the growth has gone away, but if cancer has been found, then you move into the treatment phase. Why is it important?Oral cancer can be treated most effectively if it is caught early, and oral cancer screenings can help with that. By going in for routine checkups and making sure that the tumors are caught before they have a chance to spread, your life could be saved. You never know if cancer might develop in your cells, even if you do not have a high-risk factor. We offer high-quality screenings to our patients to make sure that any oral cancer is caught early. What if you have it?If a test comes back positive for oral cancer, you will be referred to a cancer treatment center. The standard cancer treatments will follow, such as chemotherapy and medication, and the tumor will be targeted and eventually destroyed. Oral cancer is a tough to fight and coming in for your oral cancer screenings can go a long way in making sure you do not have to face it. It is always easier to spot something early if you are able to visit your dentist at lead twice a year. To schedule your next oral cancer screening, call All Star Dental Care at (808) 808-1606 today. Do not put it off longer than you have, because it could save your life. |
Office HoursMonday: 7:00am-7:00pm Tuesday: 7:00am-7:00pm Wednesday: 7:00am-7:00pm Thursday: 8:00am-4:00pm Friday: Closed Saturday: 7:00am-2:00pm |
