Attend Your Yearly Oral Cancer Screening
As adults, you should attend a six-month checkup with your Cleveland, TX, dentist. As part of these visits, we will also provide a thorough oral cancer screening. In today’s blog, we’re looking at the warning signs of oral cancer, and why a screening is so essential for your overall oral health.
The Warning Signs and Dangers of Oral Cancer
Studies from The Oral Cancer Foundation reveal that at least 53,000 people could be diagnosed with the disease this year alone. However, of that number half will succumb to the disease within just five years. One of the main reasons for this high mortality rate is the fact that the disease is rarely caught in the early stages. As a result, the disease has time to progress and grow more severe before you ever realize you need treatment. Warning signs vary, but could include sores or lesions that don’t heal after a week, areas with red and white splotches in your mouth, a chronic sore throat and hoarseness that doesn’t subside, and unexplained weight loss. You could also notice changes to your voice, or rough patches in your mouth. If you ever experience these issues, please come see us right away for a screening!
The Screening Process
For adults, we screen once a year during one of your checkup visits for oral cancer. The process uses advanced technolgoy to look for possible cancerous and precancerous areas in your mouth. If we find such areas, you will be referred for a biopsy and to see if you need to begin treatment. Remember, the earlier we identify the issue, the sooner you can start care and the more likely a full recovery will be.
Other Benefits of a Checkup
We suggest a checkup for people of all ages, starting at age two. A checkup means we use advanced technology to monitor your smile for the earliest indicators of issues such as decay, infection, gingivitis, and gum disease. We also watch for warning signs of TMJ disorder and bruxism (teeth grinding). A checkup lets us keep a close eye on your smile, and helps your family continue to enjoy full and strong smiles for years to come. We also clean your teeth, removing harmful plaque and tartar buildup, which helps protect your smile. If you have any questions about the exam process, or if you would like to schedule one for you or a member of your family, then please contact our team to learn more.
Your Cleveland, TX Dentist’s Office Provides Exams and Screenings
Cleveland Family Dentistry in Cleveland, TX wants to identify possible signs of trouble in the earliest possible stages. To learn more about keeping your smile strong and healthy, then contact our office at (281) 592-1234 to schedule your appointment today.