Regular Oral Cancer Screenings at Strongsville Smile Keepers can Save a Life!
Did you know about 54,000 people are diagnosed every year with oral cancer in America? Did you also know every hour an American dies from mouth cancer? We are not sharing this to scare you, only to educate you on the threat that mouth cancer poses. Good news! Early detection of mouth cancer increases the 5-year survival rate by 80-90%. Unfortunately, many oral cancer cases are detected in the late stage, making routine screenings of utmost importance.
Strongsville Smile Keepers offers oral cancer screenings during your routine dental check-up. The procedure is painless and only takes a few minutes. If it’s over a year since you had a mouth cancer exam in Strongsville, Ohio, schedule an appointment today with Dr. Matt Gaebelein.
What are the symptoms of oral cancer?
Oral cancer is a life-threatening condition that mainly manifests in the palate, gums, lips, tongue, and cheeks, but it can occur anywhere in the mouth. Mouth cancer is very serious, and early detection can make all the difference.
Mouth cancer doesn’t cause pain or obvious symptoms until it advances, making routine exams paramount. Although the following symptoms don’t necessarily mean oral cancer, you must see a medical doctor for further evaluation—and peace of mind.
- A mouth sore that doesn’t heal
- Red or white patches in your mouth lining
- Mouth pain that doesn’t respond to treatment
- A bump or lump inside the mouth
- Painful chewing or swallowing
- Numbness in the mouth
- Unexplained mouth bleeding
- Unexpected weight loss
- Bite changes
What causes oral cancer?
Anyone can be at risk of mouth cancer, but certain lifestyle factors such as smoking, alcohol abuse, and exposure to the human papillomavirus (HPV) can significantly increase this risk. It’s essential for everyone to undergo routine mouth cancer screenings annually; however, those at higher risk may require screenings 2-3 times per year.
What should I expect from oral cancer screening?
The thought of oral cancer screening can be intimidating, but knowing what to expect can make your experience seamless. The procedure is painless and mainly involves a visual inspection and palpation of the inside of your mouth. Before the procedure, the doctor will ask you to take out removable appliances like dentures or clear braces to have an unobstructed view of the oral cavity.
The dentist usually checks your tongue, cheeks, palate, under the tongue, etc., for abnormal patches, sores, and bumps that may be pre-cancerous or cancerous. The dentist also uses gloved hands to feel for unusual masses in your throat, jaws, cheeks, and tongue.
If indicated, our doctor uses VELscope, a powerful, fluorescence-based device that magnifies the visualizations of abnormalities in the oral mucosa. When illuminated with VELscope, normal tissues emit a bright green glow, while unhealthy tissues appear darker. An abnormal tissue doesn’t mean you have oral cancer—it signifies you need further evaluation.
When we spot any worrying signs, we may schedule a follow-up appointment to monitor the changes. Additionally, we may refer you to a specialist for a biopsy. Oral cancer exams identify potential signs of oral cancer early on to increase the chances of successful treatment.
Are you due for oral cancer screening?
Don’t wait until it’s too late—consider mouth cancer screening today. Call (440) 508-4080 to schedule an oral cancer exam with Strongsville Smile Keepers. Together, we can work towards healthy, cancer-free smiles!
