Oral cancer screening in Longmont
is extremely important as oral cancer is a type of cancer that is lesser-known
and in the early stages, it can be very difficult to diagnose. During the very
early stages, there is no pain or other symptoms present, which causes this
type of cancer to only be caught after it has developed to a much more severe
stage.
Why Oral Cancer Screening is Needed
It’s very important that oral cancer screening at a dental clinic near you is included during your biannual dental checkups.
The best chance of early detection:
Oral cancer starts as an abnormal tissue that has formed in your mouth, which
dental professionals can detect much sooner than you will be able to. Once you
have experienced symptoms, there’s a chance that the cancer has spread or has
started to progress.
You may not be able to see the affected area:
Oral cancer affects any area of the mouth, including your tongue, gums, the
roof of the mouth, lips, cheeks, and the upper area of your throat. You most
likely aren’t able to inspect all the parts of your mouth to check for any
abnormalities.
Proper oral cancer screenings are both visual
and tactile: A dentist in Longmont will start
with a visual exam before starting the physical exam. The visual exam consists
of your dentist looking for swelling, asymmetries, patches of color, bumps, and
other abnormalities in your mouth. Next, they will feel the areas of your jaw,
cheeks, and neck to look for anything unusual. Our dentists have the training
and knowledge to identify anything that doesn't feel right.
Diagnostic tools are used to investigate
anything abnormal: To detect oral cancer in an
early stage, our dentists will use mouth rinses, specialized lights, and
ultrasound-guiding imaging that will help provide a better understanding of
anything abnormal. Your dentist may have you rinse your mouth with a special
dye before your dental exam, and this dye will be absorbed by any abnormal
cells, resulting in a different color. A screening light could also be used,
which will cause any abnormal tissue to appear white while the healthy tissue
appears dark.
Screening is fast and painless:
An oral cancer screening is included at your biannual dental checkup.
Oral cancer screening near you
is done as a precaution and if your dentist finds anything abnormal they may
ask you to return for additional screenings. Your dentist may also refer you
for additional testing to get to the bottom of a particular symptom.
Oral cancer signs:
- Sores that bleed easily
- Sores that refuse to heal
- White or red patches
- Pain, tenderness, or numbness in
your lips or mouth
- Trouble chewing, speaking,
swallowing, or moving your jaw and tongue
- Color of your oral tissue has
changed
- Your mouth has a rough spot, lump,
or a small area that has eroded
- A change in how your teeth fit
together
Your dentist may recommend that you come back for a follow-up
appointment to see if the abnormal area discovered is still present and to see
if it has grown or changed.
If your dentist hasn’t performed an oral cancer screening at
your biannual dental checkup, inquire. If you haven’t visited the dentist for a
long time or are unsure if your dentist performed an oral cancer screening at
your last appointment, contact your dentist in Longmont. An oral cancer
screening is a brief and painless procedure, that should never be overlooked.
It can save your life in just a matter of minutes.
