Oral cancer screenings are quick, non-invasive parts of preventive dental care. They are done by your dentist to detect unusual changes in the mouth, tongue, lips, and throat. Because oral cancer symptoms can be difficult to spot in its early stages, regular monitoring can help identify anything suspicious quickly. At Shoreline Dental Studio, these screenings can be done to help patients stay on top of their oral health.
While oral cancer is currently on the rise in the US, the good news is that early detection is one of the best possible actions to take for highly effective treatment.
In this guide, we break down the warning signs of oral cancer, risk factors, and the importance of early detection through oral cancer screening.
Warning signs can appear in the tongue, the tissue lining the inside of the mouth and the gums, the area at the back of the throat, and the neck. As part of regular oral health checks, it’s important to pay close attention to any changes in your mouth.
These include:
While oral cancer can affect any age, ethnicity, or lifestyle, there are certain risk factors that can be avoided to lower the probability of oral cancer. It’s important to note that age and family history are additional factors. Men and women over 40 are at higher risk, and those with direct family members who have been diagnosed with any form of cancer need to be particularly vigilant.
Lifestyle risk factors to avoid include:
Many people wait until something is noticeably wrong before visiting the dentist, and often it’s because they’re nervous.
The great news? Oral cancer screenings are pain-free! People with high-risk factors (mentioned above) should be seeing the dentist every three to four months for checks. It’s typically a quick visual and physical inspection of the mouth lining, lips, tongue, and throat that will ordinarily take a few minutes.
At Shoreline Dental Studio, our experienced dental team provides advanced diagnostics with pain-free accuracy to determine the health of your mouth.
These few minutes can save not only time and future issues – they could potentially save your life!
Oral cancer screening can provide a host of benefits and can conveniently form part of your regular general dental visits.
Other benefits of oral cancer screening include:
While a trip to the dentist may seem like something that can be put off, it is non-negotiable in terms of maintaining oral health and safety. With over 60 years of expertise, Shoreline Dental Studio supports early detection by looking out for oral cancer symptoms at every checkup and providing personalized evaluations.
Regular dental appointments with our specialists will not only assist your general oral health, but also keep your overall wellbeing smiling brightly! Get in touch with our experts to book an appointment for you and your family.
Absolutely. Early detection increases the chances of effective treatment in all ages, ethnicities, and lifestyles. With a rise in oral cancer across the USA, it is imperative to be screened regularly. Find out more here!
If you want a straighter smile but don’t want the “metal mouth” experience, Invisalign for adults is likely your best bet. Convenience is important, but so is the quality of the clinical result.
Book a consultation at Shoreline Dental Studio and let’s see if clear aligners are the right fit for you.
