A General Dentist Discusses Oral Cancer Screenings

Oral Cancer Screening Lilburn, GA

A general dentist professional would be the most obvious choice of people to go to get an oral cancer screening. Because your dentist has most likely seen you before, they will be able to screen your mouth without any issue.

Since a lot of people are not educated on oral cancer screenings, the most common questions and answers are listed below. These should help inform you about oral cancer screenings and if you should be getting one on your next trip to your dentist. 

If you are worried about oral cancer, you can discuss your concerns with your dentist. They can answer any questions you may have. They will explain to you how they can screen you for the disease and inform you of all the signs that you should look for in the future so you can catch any issues as soon as they come up. 

What is an oral cancer screening?

An oral cancer screening is an exam done by your dentist or any oral professional that checks for any signs of cancer in your mouth. With gloved hands, a dentist will see if your mouth has any abnormal sores or infections. 

Why are oral screenings done?

Any oral screening is done to try and catch oral cancer in the early stages, where there is a better chance of stopping it. If an oral issue is left unattended for too long, the side effects could be deadly. Life is scary enough, and in some cases, with preventative screenings, you can eliminate some of the scary from coming to light. 

Preventative measures are such a very important part of your health. Everyone should go to their doctor routinely and follow up with any preventative screenings or tests. Taking chances with your health should never be the option you choose. 

Am I at risk of getting oral cancer?

This is a tough question because you never are 100% sure if you have any issues without a proper check-up or a screening, but the following activities can increase your chances of getting oral cancer.

  • Smoking
  • Chewing
  • Heavy alcohol drinking
  • A lot of exposure to the sun (lip cancer)

If you are participating in any of the above activities, getting an oral cancer screening on your next trip to the dentist would be very wise. 

How can I prepare for an oral cancer screening?

You don’t have to do anything special to prepare. Your general dentist can do an oral cancer screening during a routine check-up without much hassle. If you want to get an oral cancer screening, you can mention it when making your next appointment. 

Are there any risks?

There are no apparent risks involved with a simple oral cancer screening. You may be told you have oral cancer, which would result in more visits to the dentist, and for a plan to be made. But overall, there are no risks with an oral cancer screening.

What happens during the test?

Your dentist will look in your mouth for any abnormal growths or sores. Your neck area may also be examined for any lumps or abnormalities. The process is fairly quick and easy to get through. Your dentist will explain to you the process as they go. 

Oral cancer screening overview

Getting an oral cancer screening done on your next trip to the dentist could be the difference between getting a major gum infection or catching it early. The great thing about oral cancer screenings is that they are easy to accomplish. You can do an oral screening on your next visit without any trouble, and you could catch any infections or diseases before they get out of hand. 

Taking proper care of your mouth with oral hygiene is extremely important and getting an oral cancer screening is a part of that. Unfortunately, if an infection in the mouth goes untreated, it could be deadly. So getting a general dentist to look at your mouth professionally could be life-changing. 

Learn more from your dentist

Your dentist is the source for you to go to for all of your oral health questions. They will help guide you through all of the steps that go into oral cancer screening and will also inform you of what to do if they feel you may be showing signs of oral cancer. Speak with your dentist today to learn more about the oral cancer screenings available to you. 

Request an appointment here: https://www.lilburnfamilydentistry.com or call Lilburn Family Dentistry at (770) 800-0178 for an appointment in our Lilburn office.

Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Oral Cancer Screening in Lilburn, GA.

Recent Posts

Oral Hygiene Basics: Try To Stop Gum Disease Before It Starts

Keeping your gums healthy needs to be a key priority in your oral care routine. Effective care at home and at your dentist's office can prevent gum disease, a chronic condition that puts your overall oral health in jeopardy. Chronic or severe gum disease can lead to infections, loose teeth, and eventually permanent tooth loss.…

3 Types Of Treatment For Gum Disease

Gum disease starts with the growth of bacteria in the mouth. When brushing or flossing does not remove this bacteria, harmful plaque accumulates and hardens into tartar. The collection of tartar along the gum line results in gingivitis, which can worsen into periodontal disease. Symptoms of this disease can be mild in the early stages,…

What You Should Know About Gum Disease

The CDC reports that almost half of adults in the United States have a form of gum disease, also known as periodontitis or periodontal disease. For adults over 65, this number increases to 70%. This rampant disease is largely preventable, yet the subtle signs and symptoms in the early stages leave many patients unaware that…

Is Gum Disease Preventable?

Gum disease is one of the most common oral health issues. Many individuals, however, are unaware that they are dealing with the condition. Gum disease is believed to affect millions of adults in the United States, according to the International Journal of Health Sciences. Many people who do not currently have gum disease may develop…

Recent Posts

Tooth Replacement With Partial Dentures

Tooth Replacement With Partial Dentures

A tooth replacement procedure is vital if you are missing teeth. You will be happy to know that there are multiple options available to restore your smile. If you are missing a few or many teeth but have healthy natural teeth remaining, partial dentures make a lot of sense. This solution can improve your appearance…

Restoring Dental Implants With Dental Crowns

Restoring Dental Implants With Dental Crowns

Dental crowns are often combined with implants to replace missing teeth. Implants are metal posts that are placed in the jaw to replace lost teeth roots, and they serve as foundations for restorations like crowns, bridges, and dentures used to replace missing teeth.Implants are commonly made with titanium, and they are meant to last the…