It is important to get an oral cancer screening. Conveniently, your dentist may offer them at his or her dental office.
Dentists all over emphasizes the importance of providing oral cancer screenings for patients. Oral cancer screenings eliminates the risk of developing a more serious oral health condition.
Your dentist may be certified to detect and properly diagnose oral cancer. Oral cancer, also known as mouth cancer, is where cancerous cells are found on the lips, tongue, gums, inner lining of the mouth, jaw or upper throat area. There are a number of symptoms of oral cancer that start to appear early on. Unfortunately, many of these symptoms are often overlooked as other issues when they first take hold.
Oral cancer can happen to anyone but is most developed by men. Those who smoke cigarettes, cigars or pipe smokers are six times more likely than nonsmokers to develop oral cancer, as well as users of dip, snuff or chewing tobacco. Oral cancer can also occur in those who are excessive alcoholic drinks, who are exposed excessively to the sun or it can be genetic. However, it is important to note that anyone can get oral cancer even if you don’t smoke or drink.
Treatment of oral cancer depends on what size, type and stage the cancer is found in. In most cases, small cancerous tumors are removed along with a small ring of healthy tissue that surrounded it and radiation or chemotherapy is then delivered to kill off any remaining cancerous cells.
Our dentist in East Cobb provides comprehensive, high quality dental care for families including oral cancer screenings. We make sure to understand your concerns and answer your questions fully, as well as take the time to fully diagnose any oral health problems.
