Oral Cancer Screenings Chesterfield
Early Detection Could Save Your Life!
Every year, tens of thousands of people are diagnosed with some form of oral cancer. Sadly, this disease kills roughly one person in the U.S. every hour! The good news is that with early detection, this disease has a relatively high survival rate. What can you do to protect yourself? We strongly urge you to visit our Chesterfield team for regular oral cancer screenings, which we include during routine preventive checkups. This simple and non-invasive service might just save your life!
Signs & Symptoms of Oral Cancer
Oral cancer can cause quite a few symptoms. Here are some indications that you should look out for:
- Persistent mouth sores: These sores do not heal within a couple of weeks and may be an early warning sign of oral cancer.
- Red or white patches: These patches can appear on the gums, tongue, tonsils, or lining of the mouth and may indicate tissue abnormalities.
- Unexplained bleeding: Bleeding in the mouth without an obvious cause should be evaluated by a dental professional.
- Difficulty chewing or swallowing: Problems moving the jaw or tongue could signal an underlying oral health issue, including cancerous tissues.
- Chronic sore throat or voice changes: A persistent sore throat, hoarseness, or changes in your voice may be symptoms of oral cancer.
- Numbness or pain: Any numbness, pain, or tenderness in the mouth, face, or neck should not be ignored.
- Swelling or lumps: Swelling, lumps, or thickening of tissues in the mouth or neck can be causes for concern.
If you notice any potential symptoms of oral cancer, you should undergo professional evaluation ASAP.
What Does a Dentist Look for During an Oral Cancer Screening?
An oral cancer screening is a fast, simple, and non-invasive service. A member of our team will perform a visual and tactile examination, searching for any unusual lumps, tissue discoloration, or other abnormalities. They will also touch your neck to look for signs of swelling in your lymph nodes. If you have noticed any potential oral cancer symptoms in yourself, be sure to bring that up.
If any causes of concern are identified during your screening, we cannot make an official cancer diagnosis. Rather, we can refer you for a biopsy, which will reveal whether or not cancer is present.
What Can I Expect During My Child’s Screening?
Oral cancer in children is quite rare, accounting for less than 1% of all childhood cancers. However, it is still important that the possibility of this disease be acknowledged. After all, a screening is so simple and easy! We will include this service during your child’s biannual checkups.
A screening for a child is similar to a screening for adults. After we thoroughly look at your child’s oral tissues and search for any signs of abnormalities, we will either refer you for additional testing or let you know that we see no cause for concern.