Oral Cancer Screenings at Your Nearest Dental Office Can Save Your Life!
Oral cancer is a silent, often undetected threat. It doesn’t always show up with “shouting” warning signs, and when it does, the symptoms can easily be mistaken for something minor like a cold sore or sore throat. Because of the silent nature of oral cancer, it’s often discovered when advanced, making treatment less effective.
Good news! Oral cancer screenings in Augusta, Georgia, detect mouth cancer at its earliest, most treatable stage. Quickly and painlessly administered at Westmoreland Family Dentistry, oral cancer screenings are lifesaving.
What are the symptoms of mouth cancer?
Oral cancer can occur anywhere in the mouth, including the lips, tongue, cheeks, palate, sinuses, and throat. Although only a doctor can diagnose oral cancer, watch out for the below signs.
- White or red patches in the mouth
- Unexplained numbing, bleeding, or pain in the mouth
- Voice changes
- Feeling like something is stuck in the throat
- Swellings or lumps in the mouth
- A sore throat that persists for more than two weeks
- Unexplained weight loss
- Changes in how your dentures or aligners fit
Like many cancers, oral cancer is most treatable when caught early. But because it can develop quietly, it often goes unnoticed until it’s advanced. That’s why oral cancer screenings in Augusta, GA, are essential. They detect oral cancer symptoms before the condition advances.
Who’s at risk of mouth cancer?
Mouth cancer can affect patients of all ages. However, certain risk factors can increase the likelihood of oral cancer.
These include:
- Tobacco use (cigarettes, cigars, chewing tobacco)
- Heavy alcohol consumption
- HPV (human papillomavirus) infection
- Excessive sun exposure to the lips
- A family history of oral cancer or other head and neck cancers
- Individuals aged 40 and above
Even if you don’t fall into these categories, oral cancer screenings are still important. Some cases arise in individuals with no known risk factors, making regular checks a no-miss.
What can I expect during an oral cancer screening?
Oral cancer screenings are quick, painless, and often included in your routine check-up. Dr. William Westmoreland will visually inspect your lips, cheeks, tongue, gums, and throat for signs of abnormal patches, sores, etc. The dentist will also use gloved hands to gently feel for lumps, swellings, or masses in the jaws and neck. Sometimes, we can use special lights or dyes to highlight suspicious areas.
A dentist doesn’t diagnose you with oral cancer. We look out for suspicious signs that need further scrutiny. If we suspect mouth cancer, we’ll recommend a biopsy for a definitive diagnosis. This testing involves taking a small tissue sample for close study in a lab.
Why is early detection important?
Like any dental issue, oral cancer is easily treatable when detected early. To put this in perspective, oral cancers have a 5-year survival rate of 80-90% when caught early. The primary reason is that the cancer hasn’t spread to other parts, making treatment effective and less invasive. Unfortunately, this survival rate dwindles below 50% when detected late.
Book your oral cancer screening today!
Oral cancer screenings are one of the most important yet overlooked parts of preventive dental care. They are quick and painless but detect signs that may go unnoticed until it’s too late. Do you need an oral cancer exam in Lake Jackson, Texas? Call (706) 535-2300 and reserve an appointment with Westmoreland Family Dentistry.
