When most people think of routine preventive care, they realize the importance of keeping their smiles healthy from things like tooth decay and gum disease. However, during every routine dental visit, you’ll also undergo comprehensive oral cancer screening to specifically check for potential signs of oral cancer development. In addition to more common conditions with your tooth structure and/or gum tissues, oral cancer can often manifest in early warning signs that may be hard to see on your own. With routine screening and the use of advanced imaging technology, we can help you significantly improve your chances of detecting these signs and taking appropriate action as soon as possible.
The importance of early oral cancer detection
Though oral cancer isn’t as common as more general oral health concerns, more than 50,000 people in the U.S. are newly diagnosed with it each year. When oral cancer is detected in its early stages and addressed with appropriate treatment, patients have a much higher chance of successfully treating and overcoming it. This makes early detection especially important in the routine care and maintenance of your oral health. It’s also why we’ve invested in advanced technology to help enhance the quality and accuracy of your results during every oral cancer screening.
Enhancing the quality of your oral cancer screenings
For most dental diagnostic procedures, the use of advanced imaging technology has helped significantly enhance patient comfort and convenience, as well as the quality of dental imaging. In the case of oral cancer screening, the use of advanced VELscope technology extends the same advantages to highlighting and detecting potential warning signs during your oral cancer screening. Using a safe, specialized light, VELscope can highlight potential areas of tissues that may exhibit abnormalities consistent with early oral cancer signs.
Screening for signs at home between visits
Using VELscope to enhance your professional oral cancer screening is a significant advantage in your preventive efforts. However, you don’t have to wait until your next dental visit to keep an eye out for oral cancer. We also recommend performing self-screenings at home at least once a month to detect signs that may appear between your routine dental appointments. Standing in front of a well-lit mirror, you can look for signs such as:
- Ulcers or sores
- Rough patches of tissue
- Discolored areas of oral tissues
- Bleeding wounds that don’t heal
- Lumps or growths in one or more areas
- And other abnormalities in your mouth or throat tissues
Protect your oral health with routine care
Preventive oral health care means protecting your smile from potential problems, and routine oral cancer screenings are an essential part of that effort. To learn more, contact our office by calling Syosset Dental in Syosset, NY, today at 516-433-2211 or 516-921-1678.
