Reach Out To Our Oral Cancer Screening Dentists In King Of Prussia, PA

Oral cancer screening is a diagnostic procedure in general dentistry practice that is performed for an examination of mouth cancers. It is a precautionary measure taken to identify possible suspicion of cancer. If detected in the early stages, there are greater chances of a cure.

Over the years, cases of oral cancer have increased tremendously because certain lifestyle changes increase the risk of oral cancer. Oral cancer screening can be done at regular dental appointments; the examination merely takes a few minutes.

No more Googling for “oral cancer screening near me,” you can reach out to us for a thorough diagnostic test!

Here’s What You Should Expect During An Oral Cancer Screening

We do much more than just clean your teeth and take X-rays. Our oral cancer screening dentists also conduct quick and painless screenings to check for any signs of oral cancer. This screening is a vital part of your routine dental care.

Here’s what you should expect in this diagnostic procedure.

Visual Exam For Oral Cancer Screening

During an oral cancer exam, the dentist examines the mouth visually to look for any changes, swellings, lumps, bumps, changes in skin color, ulcers, or other abnormalities. In a visual screening, patients are advised to remove dentures so the doctors can perform the visual exam.

Normally, dentists use a mirror, light, and a tongue depressor for dental oral cancer screening. If the doctor suspects anything unusual, a referral to the oral surgeon will be given for additional testing. The areas observed during a dental oral cancer screening are:

• Detailed visual exam of gums
• The tongue, the surface beneath and above the tongue, the backside of the tongue
• The roof of the mouth
• The lips from inside and outside to look for sores
• The back of the throat

Physical Exam For Oral Cancer Screening

The dentist touches the face, mouth, and neck region to identify the swollen nodules. Apart from nodules, masses are also identified during an oral cancer exam. The identification of hard lumps is a sign which requires further examination.

A dental oral cancer screening is necessary because by the time symptoms start to show, the cancer could already be spreading. This could eventually limit treatment options. In the initial stages, usually, oral cancer is painless, thus frequent oral cancer exams are required to prevent the spread of the disease.

Here Are Some Telltale Signs That You Need A Dental Cancer Screening

In the early stages, oral cancer often shows no symptoms. However, it’s crucial to be vigilant. If you experience any of the following signs, it’s wise to consult your dentist promptly for a thorough dental cancer screening:

• A persistent mouth sore
• Red or white patches inside your mouth
• Mouth or lip tenderness or numbness
• Difficulty with chewing or swallowing
• Mouth or lip pain
• Limited tongue movement
• Speech difficulties
• Rough, crusted spots in your mouth
• An unexplained, non-tender neck lump
• Persistent sore throat
• Chronic hoarseness
• The sensation of something lodged in your throat

Here’s Why You Need Oral Cancer Screenings Regularly

Regular visits to your dentist every six months can help you deal with much more than the usual dental suspects. Your appointments also include oral cancer screenings, which can help you take timely action if needed. Oral cancer can affect anyone. While smokers and tobacco users face higher risks, non-smokers are not perfectly safe either. Our experienced dentists can help you take proactive measures by diagnosing any problems during our oral cancer screenings.

The sooner you find out, the faster you can start doing something about it!