Oral Cancer Screenings in Ocoee, FL
Even though dentists are experts in taking care of teeth, they can also spot signs of chronic or serious medical conditions while treating you. During your biannual routine examinations, our dentists at Smiles of Ocoee in Ocoee, FL will carefully examine inside your mouth and conduct oral cancer screenings.
Why Do Dentists Screen for Cancer?
Our dentists screen for cancer because most of its first signs show up in the soft tissues of the mouth. Since dentists are experts on the neck and head, they can also spot signs of the disease like lumps or hard areas on the neck.
To successfully treat this form of cancer, it’s vital to find it as early as possible. As it advances, the chances of a patient’s survival decrease. Along with keeping your teeth healthy, routine examinations can find diseases early enough to survive them.
How are Oral Cancer Screenings Conducted?
While our dentists at Smiles of Ocoee examine your mouth, they visually check for symptoms of the disease. Some of the symptoms include:
- Red or white patches in the mouth
- A sore on lips or mouth that isn’t healing
- Bad breath
- Ear pain
- Loose teeth
Our dentists near you in Ocoee, FL will also use a gloved finger to feel under the tongue, on the lips, and cheeks for lumps. They will run fingers down your neck as well, looking for hard areas. The back of the tongue is another area that sores can grow that may indicate oral, or even throat, cancer.
Risk Factors for Oral Cancer
Although both men and women can get oral cancer, men have a higher risk factor because many men chew tobacco. It’s important to note that any type of tobacco use puts you at risk for this type of cancer. Also, men tend to drink more alcohol than women, which is another key factor in the disease.
Other risk factors include:
- Repeated exposure to the sun on your lips.
- Having the human papillomavirus (HPV)
- A weakened immune system
If you have sores in your mouth that are not healing or any of the other symptoms, contact one of our dentists at Smiles of Ocoee in Ocoee, FL for an oral cancer screening.
FAQs
An oral cancer screening is an exam where we check your lips, cheeks, tongue, and throat for early signs of abnormal tissue. Many people choose oral cancer screenings in Ocoee, FL as part of their routine preventive care.
Early detection improves the possibility of successful treatment. As a dentist in Ocoee, FL, we include screenings during exams so potential concerns can be identified as early as possible.
Persistent sores, lumps, changes in color, or difficulty swallowing should be evaluated. If something doesn’t improve within two weeks, schedule a visit with a dentist near you.
Most adults receive screenings annually as part of regular checkups. People with higher risk factors may benefit from more frequent evaluations. We tailor recommendations to your individual needs.
No. The exam is quick, gentle, and noninvasive. During your visit for oral cancer screenings in Ocoee, FL, we explain each step so you feel informed and comfortable.
Factors that contribute to risk include tobacco use, heavy alcohol use, HPV, sun exposure to the lips, and age. Even without risk factors, screenings are helpful for early detection.
We may recommend a follow-up exam, imaging, or referral for a biopsy. Our team walks you through the next steps clearly so you understand your options.
