Oral Cancer Screening In Waterdown

Early cancer detection for your mouth, tongue, cheek, lips, and throat. Learn the signs and symptoms and understand your risk.

Symptoms to look for in oral cancer

Oral or mouth cancer starts from any location within the oral cavity, including the lips, tongue, mouth, gums, or throat. Early detection of such lesions can have a higher rate of successful treatment. Your dentist can examine the lining of your mouth, cheek, roof, and floor to check for abnormalities. And if they find anything suspicious, they will refer you to a cancer specialist for further tests. If you’ve noticed any one of the following symptoms, alone or in combination, make an appointment with your dentist.

Red or white patches on your mouth or lips
Difficulty in swallowing
Thick areas or unusual lumps in your mouth
A sore throat
Stiff jaw
Difficulty in opening mouth
Persistent bleeding or numb patches in your mouth
A non-healing ulcer
Jaw or toothache that doesn’t go away

However, these symptoms don’t always indicate the presence of oral cancer. This may happen due to the presence of various causes and risk factors. If such symptoms persist for more than 14 days, you should consult a dentist as early as possible.

Know the risk factors

Some people are at higher risk of developing oral cancer. There are multiple conditions associated with it, which include:

Smoking or consuming tobacco products
Excessive exposure to sunlight
Positive family history of oral cancer
A poor diet and malnutrition
History of leukoplakia
Presence of HPV(Human Papilloma Virus) infection in the mouth
Being male as males are more prone to oral cancer than females

Prevention, Detection, and Treatment of Oral Cancer:

Oral cancer treatment will be determined on an individual basis and will be heavily influenced by the severity, type, and location of the suspected cancer.

Early detection of oral cancer

Oral cancer screenings can help detect early signs of the disease. During the exam, your dentist will look for red or white patches or suspicious sores inside your mouth and under your tongue. Your dentist will also feel the tissues in your mouth for lumps or unusual textures, as well as the outside of your throat and neck for lumps.

Diagnosis and Treatment

After a thorough check-up, your healthcare provider will share their findings with you. If the screening indicates signs of oral cancer, Magnolia Dental will refer you to a specialist for further assessment. These tests might include a biopsy, where a piece of abnormal tissue is removed and sent for lab analysis. Various other imaging tests like X-rays, CT scans, MRIs, or ultrasounds can also be performed if necessary. They may help in detecting the location of any tumor and indicating the areas where it has spread. Your dentist may also suggest follow-up visits within a week or so to see if the lesion has healed on its own. They will also notice any changes associated with it.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How can you prevent oral cancer?

You can take precautions now to help prevent oral cancer in the future. To help reduce your risk of oral cancer, see your dentist for routine check-ups regularly, stop using tobacco products and drink responsibly, limit your exposure to direct sunlight and use U/V protective lip balms, eat a healthy diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables, and remember to check your mouth for signs or symptoms so that you can report any concerns to your dentist.

How often should you screen for oral cancer?

Oral cancer screening helps in the early detection of cancer signs and symptoms. Oral cancer screening in Waterdown consists of checking the full mouth, including the tongue, cheeks, gums, teeth, and mouth and lips. Most dentists recommend a screening every three years for adults over 30 and annual screenings for those over 40.

Can oral cancer be cured with surgery?

Surgery is considered the major treatment for people with oral cancer. Cancer can be removed completely while preserving your quality of life. However, the approach can vary based on the shape, size, type, location, and stage (extent) of oral cancer. Your dentist can tell you which oral cancer treatment surgery is right for you based on the above-mentioned factors. Our experts will help you by providing the best oral cancer treatment surgery options to control the disease while being highly attentive to restoring your ability to eat, speak, and swallow.

How long does it take to recover from oral cancer surgery?

The amount of time it takes to recover from oral cancer surgery depends on the type of surgery, the patient's age, and overall health. In most cases, it takes around ten days to two weeks. After two weeks, your dentist will schedule an appointment for a follow-up to check for signs of complications. Make sure that you don’t miss any appointments, even if you feel fine. Our experts from the best oral cancer treatment centers will help you on your way to recovery from oral cancer.

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info@magnoliadental.ca