Protect Your Health with an Oral Cancer Screening
At Signature Smiles, we focus on more than teeth, we're all about the "mind, body and smile." That means improving all-around health and preventing very serious issues before they occur. Right at the top of the list is oral cancer, which can be life-threatening if not diagnosed and treated appropriately. As part of our focus on preventive care, we offer oral cancer screening at our Woodinville office.
There are many symptoms which you may notice and which could, in certain instances, signal developing oral cancer. For example:
- Red or white sores or spots in your mouth
- Sores that do not heal or go away, and continue to bleed frequently and/or easily
- A rough lump or thickening in your mouth
- Sensations ranging from pain to extra-tenderness to numbness in your mouth or on your lips
- Difficulty with typical functions - speaking, moving your jaw or tongue, swallowing and chewing, etc.
There's no need to panic, but these symptoms are providing you with a warning sign which you should heed, in which case you can quickly schedule an appointment with our team and we'll provide you with a thorough screening. The screening process is quick, and will detect both cancerous signs and pre-cancerous conditions.
The process includes a careful visual examination, along with exploration of the tissue of the mouth and throat. Further tests may be performed, such as a brush test, which collects cells from a suspicious lesion in the mouth for further analysis and evaluation. In such cases, a biopsy may be recommended to remove the lesion.
Of course, you can actively work to prevent oral cancer on your own. The single best way to do this is to avoid all tobacco products, which are proven to be key causes of oral cancer, not to mention other cancers and health risks.
In addition, maintain a balanced, nutritious diet, and drink alcohol in moderation. Limit exposure to the sun, and use an SPF lip balm or cream on your lips, besides using sunscreen on the rest of your body.
Finally, be sure to visit our offices regularly where we can perform thorough oral cancer screenings and checks. Early detection is the next best thing to prevention!
Be sure to call us and schedule an appointment if you have any further questions, or if you'd like to schedule an appointment. An oral cancer screening will find problems before they get worse, will give you peace of mind about symptoms you've been experiencing, and will ensure that you're as healthy and happy as possible -- and that sounds like perfect balance of mind, body and smile, to us!
