Oral Cancer Screening
Oral cancer screening is an examination performed by a dentist or doctor to look for signs of cancer or precancerous conditions in your mouth.
The goal of oral cancer screening is to identify mouth cancer early, when there is a greater chance for a cure.
Most dentists perform an examination of your mouth during a routine dental visit to screen for oral cancer. Some dentists may use additional tests to aid in identifying areas of abnormal cells in your mouth.
Medical organizations disagree on whether healthy people without risk factors for mouth cancer need oral cancer screening. No single oral exam or oral cancer screening test is proved to reduce the risk of dying of oral cancer. Still, you and your dentist may decide that an oral exam or a special test is right for you based on your risk factors.
Warning Signs
Chronic pain in the mouth is the most common sign of oral cancer among others, some of which differ from person to person. The signs include:
– Weight loss
– Chronic bad breath
– Lumps in the cheeks
– Swelling in the neck
– Trouble swallowing or chewing
– A persistent sense of something being stuck in your throat
– Any sores that bleed consistently and don’t heal
If you notice any of these signs lasting over more than a couple of weeks, consult with your dentist in Brampton at the earliest. There’s a possibility that the symptoms could be caused due to much more common ailments such as an infection but it’s best not to leave anything to chance. This way, if your doctor detects any signs related to cancer, they can start the treatment immediately.
Some other factors that increase the risk of causing oral cancer include:
– Consuming too much alcohol
– Exposing the lips to the sun too much
-A weak immune system
-A diet rich in red meat and fried foods
-Exposure to chemicals
Symptoms
The only way to know for sure whether you have oral cancer or not is to receive a detailed diagnosis from your doctor. You should inform them right away if you see any of the following symptoms:
– Sore throat
– Bleeding in the mouth
– Numbness in the face
– Any sores that don’t heal
– Loose teeth or dentures
– Difficulty chewing
– Pain while swallowing
– Pain in the ears, throat, jaw or the tongue
How you prepare
Oral cancer screening doesn’t require any special preparation. Oral cancer screening is typically performed during a routine dental appointment.
Additional tests
Some dentists use special tests in addition to the oral exam to screen for oral cancer. It’s not clear if these tests offer any additional benefit over the oral exam. Special tests may involve:
Oral cancer screening dye. Rinsing your mouth with a special blue dye before an exam. Abnormal cells in your mouth may take up the dye and appear blue.
Oral cancer screening light. Shining a light in your mouth during an exam. The light makes healthy tissue appear dark and makes abnormal tissue appear white.
Results
If your dentist discovers any signs of mouth cancer or precancerous lesions, he or she may recommend:
A follow-up visit in a few weeks to see if the abnormal area is still present and note whether it has grown or changed over time.
A biopsy procedure to remove a sample of cells for laboratory testing to determine whether cancer cells are present. Your dentist in Crystalline Dental may perform the biopsy, or you may be referred to a doctor who specializes in oral cancer diagnosis and treatment.
Crystalline Dental is located at 1850 Major Mackenzie Dr W. is one of the best dental clinic in Vaughan.