Oral Cancer Screening Can Save Your Life

By now, you have likely seen news reports questioning whether flossing is necessary for your oral health. Our expert dentist wants to remind patients that our office offers thorough oral cancer screening as part of our comprehensive dental health services. Like with every form of cancer, early diagnosis can have a profound impact on the success of your treatment. Regular oral cancer screenings are your first line of defense against oral cancer and our dentist in 30024 is here to help.

In your screening, our doctor will check your lips, tongue, gums, mouth, and throat for any abnormalities that could be or become cancerous. We will give careful consideration to any symptoms you may be experiencing. If you have experienced any oral cancer symptoms for more than a week without improvement, schedule a dental appointment and tell your dentist in 30024 immediately. Symptoms that could indicate oral cancer include:

Ear pain
Unexplained mouth bleeding
Mouth sores that don’t heal
White or red patches in your mouth
Dramatic weight loss
Lumps or swellings in or around your mouth
Sore throat without other sinus symptoms
Sensation of something caught in the back of your throat
Pain or difficulty in swallowing, speaking, or moving your jaw or tongue

One adult American dies of oral cancer every hour. Though anyone can develop oral cancer, some factors can increase your risks. Some of the most common risk factors include: genetic predisposition, prolonged sun exposure, unhealthy diet, and excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages. Oral cancer is more common in men than women. Patients with gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD) are at increased risk. Users of tobacco in any form are six times more likely to develop oral cancer than non-users.

Whatever the cause, the success of treatment depends on the size, type, and stage of the cancer. Early detection can play a critical role in your successful recovery. When found in early stages, oral cancers have an 80 – 90% survival rate. The primary reason for this is that early detection leads to earlier treatment. Oral cancers that are found in early or precancerous stages can often be removed and require less invasive procedures to treat. Later stages of cancer are likely to be larger and more complex and often have spread far beyond your mouth.

We are accepting new patients. If you would like more information about oral cancer and oral cancer screening, contact our dental office in Suwanee, GA for a consultation.