According to the Oral Cancer Foundation, over 49,000 people are diagnosed with the disease every year. Of that number, half will succumb to the disease within just five years. The high mortality rate is due to the fact that most cases are not diagnosed until the later stages. However, we can identify the issue in the early stages with a routine oral cancer screening.
Frequently Asked Questions About Oral Cancer Screenings
Question: How often do I need one?
Answer: As an adult, you should have a screening at least once a year. We can perform them in one of our routine dental checkups. The entire procedure only takes minutes can allow us to identify the presence of possible trouble spots. We can then recommend you to a specialist for a biopsy or to discuss treatment options. The earlier the issue is caught, the more likely the patient is to make a full recovery, so undergoing your screening is absolutely crucial.
Question: What does the dentist look for?
Answer: The dentist will look for any lesions or patches of white and red in the mouth. Areas like this that have not healed in over two weeks could be a sign of oral cancer and warrant a biopsy.
Question: What are signs that I should see the dentist?
Answer: If you have a sore place in your mouth that hasn’t healed in two weeks, or if you experience persistent hoarseness or changes in your voice, then you may need to contact us. Rough patches, areas with red and white splotches, and a prolonged sore throat are also indicators that you need to see a professional. If you have any questions or concerns about the screening process, or if you would like to schedule checkup, then please contact our team today.
Do You Have Questions About Our Screenings?
At Brighton Family Dental Group, we can perform an oral cancer screening annually. You can schedule an appointment or consultation with Dr. Thomas Villani or Dr. Richard Kondrat by reaching out to our office at (617) 562-5210. We are proud to offer a range of dental services to patients from Brighton, Watertown, Cambridge, Brookline, Newton, and all neighboring communities.
