Oral cancer is one of the more difficult types of cancer to diagnose and treat effectively, usually because symptoms are missed. Your dentist can make a big difference in your prognosis by detecting early signs of a problem, making it possible to diagnose a malignancy and begin treatment promptly.
If you’ve visited your dentist recently, chances are good that you’ve had an oral cancer screening. Most dentists will include this in a regular checkup. It is quick and easy to administer, so if your dentist does not mention that he’ll be performing a screening, ask about it.
During a screening, your dentist will look at the soft tissues in your mouth for any symptoms of oral cancer. He will examine your lips, gums, and tongue, including the underside of the tongue. Symptoms can include:
While these symptoms do not always indicate the presence of cancer, they should be evaluated. As with any form of cancer, treatment is more likely to be effective if it is diagnosed early. Treatment can include surgery to remove malignant tissue, radiation treatment, chemotherapy or a combination of these approaches.
There are several risk factors for oral cancer, although you can develop it even if you don’t fit the usual profile for risk. Talk to your dentist about more frequent screening if you:
If you notice any symptoms yourself, be sure to bring them to your dentist’s attention at your next appointment, or make a special appointment to have them evaluated. If the symptoms seem to be advanced, or if you have a growth in your mouth that is causing discomfort or concern, contact your dentist for an appointment as soon as possible.
Schedule your next cleaning with our team by calling Thompson Dental today!
WE ARE OPEN
Dear Thompson Dental Family,
We hope this letter finds you and your family in good health. We have missed seeing everyone at our office! Our community has been through a lot over the last few months and all of us are looking forward to transitioning back to our normal operations.
While many things have changed, one thing has remained the same: our commitment to your safety. Infection control has always been a top priority for our practice, and you may have seen this during your visits to our office. Our infection control processes are made so that when you receive care, it is both safe and comfortable. Our office follows infection control recommendations made by the American Dental Association (ADA), the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
You may see some changes when it is time for your next appointment. We made these changes to help protect our patients and staff. For example:
We look forward to seeing you again and are happy to answer any questions you may have about the steps we take to keep you, and every patient, safe in our practice. To make an appointment, please call our office at 972-346-2992 or visit our contact page.
Thank you for being our patient. We value your trust and loyalty and look forward to welcoming back our patients, neighbors, and friends.
Please contact our office if you have any concerns.