Oral Cancer Screening
General dentistry treatments are not just for protecting your smile; they can help protect your life. Oral cancer kills over 9,000 Americans a year and is very treatable in the early stages. Routine oral cancer screenings help detect cancer early and give those with the disease the highest chance of successful treatment. Our dental team at Laguna West Dental Care offers oral cancer screenings that can be performed during your annual exams.
Oral cancer may be present with few or no symptoms. Often by the time symptoms occur, oral cancer has progressed to a more dangerous stage. However, some people do have symptoms that can alert them to the disease. Some of these include:
- Lumps or hard spot in the mouth or throat
- Problems chewing or swallowing
- Changes in how your jaw aligns
- Trouble speaking or moving your tongue
If you have any changes in your mouth function, you should schedule a dental exam and inform your dentist. It could be a dental or oral health issue, including oral cancer.
Identify Mouth Cancer Early
When you undergo an oral cancer screening, our dentist will be looking for any changes in the oral tissues. Even when there are no symptoms, oral cancer may be visible when observed by a trained dentist with the right screening equipment. White or red patches, sores, rough tissue or minor changes in the skin can alert your dentist to a possible lesion. When oral cancer is caught in the early stages, there is a high chance of recovery with treatment.
Keep your mouth and body healthy with routine checkups that include an oral cancer screening. Contact our office to schedule your next dental exam, and ask about oral cancer screenings. We accept many insurance plans that cover preventive dental visits.