Oral Cancer Screening Near You
You may be thinking: why would I undergo one or even two oral cancer screenings when I’m not sick? The entire purpose of this process is to prevent and protect you from oral cancer; it doesn’t treat it. And, if anything is amiss, your dentist will be able to address it before it morphs into something much more serious.
The appointment only takes a few minutes and it’s completely painless. If you’re looking for more information about oral cancer screenings near you, please reach out to our dental practice.
Screening Purposes
Also referred to as mouth cancer, these visits entail an extremely in-depth oral evaluation in search of any abnormal tissue patches, lesions, or tumors.
Oral cancer can arise due to engaging in certain behaviors such as using tobacco, whether it’s in the form of a pipe, cigarette, or chewing it; exposing your skin to the sun for a prolonged or intense period, particularly the skin around your mouth; and excessive alcohol consumption. If you’ve had cancer in the past, you’re also at a higher risk of developing it in the future.
Steps in the Process
Just like when you attend a regular dental exam, you don’t need to prepare anything before coming in for oral cancer screenings near you. Your dentist in Didsbury will very carefully assess each part of your oral cavity including your teeth, the gum line, your tongue, and the tissues on the roof and bottom of your mouth and your cheeks. They will also gently prod along your jawbone and down your throat, feeling for tumors that may have formed or swollen glands. X-rays can be taken too.
In some cases, blue light or dye is utilized too; areas of concern will show up in color while healthy areas will be colorless.
What Happens After
The steps that are taken after the screening is done are dependent on the results. More serious dental conditions like the presence of an infection, periodontitis, or cancerous cells call for a biopsy – this procedure involves collecting cells from a potentially unhealthy area in your mouth or throat and further studying it to determine if it is cancerous.
If there’s nothing to worry about, your dentist will continue with the rest of the appointment.
Though dentists commonly advise patients to undergo oral cancer screenings every 2-3 years or so, patients at a higher risk are strongly encouraged to come in more frequently.
At Mountain View Smiles, we provide oral cancer screenings in Carstairs near Didsbury. Our team will be happy to assist you in booking a time to come in. Please call or email us today!