If you have a question about your oral health, then naturally, your dentist wants you to ask it. However, many people don’t know enough about oral cancer or the risks that it poses to their wellbeing to ask their dentists if they’re at risk. Fortunately, you should automatically receive routine oral cancer screenings during your regular dental checkup and cleaning appointments. At our office, the screening includes a comprehensive visual inspection, and in some cases, the use of advanced VELscope technology for earlier, more precise diagnosis.
Detecting it early is the best way to fight it
Among the various cancers that can affect people today, oral cancer is one of the most common and one of the most fatal. However, the fatality of oral cancer is often largely influenced by the time it takes to detect and treat it. Patients who receive an accurate diagnosis and specialized oral health treatment sooner have a higher probability of successfully treating and managing oral cancer than patients who receive late-stage diagnoses.
It can be obvious to you, or not
One of the reasons why professional oral cancer screening is so important is because you may not always notice the earliest signs of it. Oral cancer can describe cancer of any of your oral tissues, including those at the back of your mouth or in your throat, where you can’t see. Nevertheless, you should perform a self-exam at least once a week between your dental visits to check for signs that you can see. Stand in front of a well-lit mirror and open your mouth wide, checking carefully for things like ulcers, sores, rough patches of skin, wounds that don’t heal, and more.
Your dentist can see it first
When you visit your dentist for a routine screening, the visual inspection he performs may reveal some of the more noticeable early signs of oral cancer. Using a professional eye and the advantage of a third-person view, your dentist has a much better chance of seeing such things. For enhanced results, your dentist may also utilize VELscope, which is an advanced, blue-spectrum light technology that makes abnormalities with oral tissues stand out noticeably. This helps your dentist spot early signs of oral cancer long before they become obvious, boosting your chances of seeking treatment early, if necessary.
Learn more during your next oral cancer screening
While oral cancer can be a significant concern, routine exams and advanced digital screening can help you detect it early and seek appropriate care as soon as possible. To learn more, schedule a visit by calling Syosset Dental in Syosset, NY, today at 516-433-2211 or 516-921-1678.
