Oral Cancer Screening by a Dentist: What to Expect?
Posted on 5/23/2022 by Evan
If you have not gone for an oral cancer screening by a dentist recently, it is time for you to schedule one. Oral cancer screenings are important because they can help detect cancer in its early stages. Here is what you can expect during an oral cancer screening.
Reasons To Get an Oral Screening for Cancer
Oral cancer is a highly preventable form of cancer, and it can be detected early through regular screenings by your dentist or other oral health professional. There are many reasons to get an oral screening for cancer. First and foremost, it can save your life. Oral cancer is often asymptomatic in its early stages, meaning that you may not experience any pain or other symptoms until cancer has progressed to a more advanced stage. By that point, treatment may be more complex and less likely to succeed. A screening can help catch cancer in its early stages when it is most treatable. In addition to saving lives, oral cancer screenings can also improve patients' quality of life. Treatment for oral cancer can be intrusive and complex, with side effects impacting your appearance, eating and speaking ability, and overall quality of life.
What To Expect During Oral Cancer Screening?
Oral cancer screening examines the mouth for signs of cancer or precancerous conditions. Screening aims to detect oral cancer at its earliest, most treatable stage. Oral cancer screening is recommended for all adults over the age of 18. The examination generally takes less than five minutes and can be done during a routine dental visit. The dentist or hygienist will visually inspect the mouth for any abnormalities during the exam. Doctors will feel for any type of lumps or swellings. If anything suspicious is found, a biopsy may be recommended. A biopsy removes a small sample of tissue for laboratory analysis. The entire screening process is quick and relatively painless. If you want to reduce your risk of developing oral cancer, or if you are already experiencing symptoms, make an appointment with our dentist.