Oral Cancer Exam
Early Detection for Optimal Outcomes
At our periodontal practice, we prioritize comprehensive oral health care, which includes a Preventative Oral Cancer Exam. This crucial screening is designed to detect early signs of oral cancer, a condition that affects over 30,000 Americans each year, according to the American Cancer Society. Our experienced periodontists utilize advanced techniques and technology to thoroughly examine your oral tissues, ensuring that any potential issues are identified and addressed promptly.
We understand that the thought of oral cancer can be concerning, but early detection is key to successful treatment. Our team is dedicated to providing gentle, thorough, and compassionate care during these exams. By incorporating this screening into your regular dental check-ups, we can help safeguard your oral health and overall well-being, giving you peace of mind and the best chance for a healthy future.
Key Benefits of a Preventative Oral Cancer Exam
- Early Detection: Our advanced screening techniques can identify potential cancerous and precancerous conditions before they become visible to the naked eye.
- Improved Survival Rates: Catching oral cancer in its earliest stages significantly increases the chances of successful treatment and full recovery.
- Non-Invasive Procedure: The exam is quick, painless, and requires no special preparation, making it an easy addition to your regular dental visits.
- Comprehensive Oral Health Assessment: While screening for cancer, we also evaluate overall oral health, potentially catching other issues early.
- Peace of Mind: Regular screenings can alleviate anxiety about oral cancer and empower you to take control of your health.
The Evaluation Stage
What to Expect During Consultation
When you visit our office for a Preventative Oral Cancer Exam consultation, your doctor will discuss your medical history and any risk factors you may have for oral cancer. We’ll inquire about lifestyle habits, such as tobacco use or alcohol consumption, and any family history of cancer. This comprehensive assessment helps us tailor the screening process to your specific needs.
During this appointment, we’ll explain the importance of regular oral cancer screenings and how they fit into your overall oral health care plan. We encourage you to ask questions and share any concerns you may have about the exam or your oral health in general. Our team will ensure you feel comfortable and well-informed about the screening process before proceeding.
Exam Process
What to Expect During the Exam
The oral cancer examination is completely painless. Our doctors will look for abnormalities and feel the face, glands, and neck for unusual bumps. Lasers may be used to highlight pathologic changes, and can “look” below the surface for spots and lesions invisible to the naked eye. Some of the signs that will be investigated are red patches and sores. Red patches on the floor of the mouth, or the front of the tongue, and bleeding sores which fail to heal easier, can be indicative of cancerous changes. Leukoplakia is a hardened white or gray, slightly raised lesion that can appear inside the mouth, and may be cancerous. Signs of these will be examined as well. Finally, soreness, lumps or the general thickening of tissue anywhere in the throat or mouth can signal pathologic signs, and will be examined.
If abnormalities, lesions, lumps, or leukoplakia are apparent, we will implement a treatment plan that is right for you. Treatment options vary according to the precise diagnosis, but may include: excision, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy.
Recovery and Aftercare
What to Expect for Recovery from the Exam
As the Preventative Oral Cancer Exam is non-invasive, there is no recovery period required. You can immediately resume your normal activities following the screening. There are no restrictions on eating, drinking, or oral care after the exam.
If any suspicious areas are identified during the screening, we’ll discuss our findings with you immediately. In most cases, we’ll simply recommend a follow-up exam to monitor the area more closely. If necessary, we may suggest a biopsy to obtain a definitive diagnosis. It’s important to remember that most abnormalities found during these screenings are not cancerous, but early detection and follow-up are crucial for your health and peace of mind.
We recommend scheduling Preventative Oral Cancer Exams at least annually, or more frequently if you have risk factors for oral cancer. Regular screenings allow us to track any changes in your oral tissues over time and catch any potential issues as early as possible.
It is also important to note that over 75% of oral cancers are linked with avoidable behaviors such as smoking, tobacco use, and excessive alcohol consumption. We can provide you with literature and options about quitting dangerous behaviors such as tobacco use.