Get Peace of Mind with Oral Cancer Screenings at Your Local Dentist
Like many cancers, oral cancer is a life-threatening health condition. However, your local dentist in Flinders, Victoria, offers routine oral cancer screenings to detect mouth cancer at its earliest, most treatable stage. If it’s more than one year since you had a mouth exam, it’s time to schedule an appointment with Flinders Dental Practice. Mouth cancer exams with our team are quick and painless, but they can save a life.
What are the symptoms of oral cancer?
Mouth cancer can manifest anywhere in the mouth, including your lips, tongue, gums, palate, throat, and cheeks. Oral cancer presents in many ways, but common symptoms include:
- Red or white patches in your mouth
- A mouth or lip sore that doesn’t heal
- Chronic sore throat
- Pain in the mouth that doesn’t go away
- Bleeding or numbness in the mouth
- Swelling of the jaw or neck
- Voice changes (hoarseness)
- Unexpected weight loss
- Loose teeth or dentures that no longer fit
- An ear ache that doesn’t go away
Other health conditions can cause similar symptoms, so you should see a doctor if you experience any of these issues for over two weeks. Make regular mouth cancer screenings part of your dental care, even if you have no symptoms. We recommend annual mouth cancer screenings and bi-annual exams for those at greater risk.
What can I expect during an oral cancer exam?
Oral cancer screenings are painless and take 5-10 minutes to complete. Before your exam, the dentist will request you remove clear aligners, dentures, and other removable appliances for an unobstructed view of your mouth. The first part of your exam is a visual exam, often with the help of an intraoral camera to view even the hidden areas of your mouth. During the visual exam, your dentist can spot small sores, lumps, discolourations, and other suspicious changes in your mouth.
The second part of the exam involves using gloved hands to palpitate your throat, jaws, and gums for unusual lumps or masses. If we notice any suspicious signs of oral cancer, we’ll schedule a follow-up appointment for a more thorough evaluation. This allows us to carefully assess the area and determine if further testing or treatment is needed. If the abnormality doesn’t improve, you’ll need a biopsy to determine if it’s cancerous.
Why does early detection matter?
Oral cancer detection is vital because, like many cancers, it’s much easier to treat mouth cancer before it spreads (metastasizes). The problem is that oral cancer often doesn’t show obvious symptoms until it’s advanced. Unfortunately, treatment can be more difficult and less effective at that point.
Early detection of oral cancer enables us to identify minor issues before they escalate into serious problems.
Ready for oral cancer screening near Flinders?
A proactive approach with oral screenings is one of the simplest yet most powerful ways to avoid potential health risks. Ready for a mouth cancer exam in Flinders? Call (03) 5989-1129 to book your appointment with Flinders Dental Practice. It’s a small step that can make a big difference in your health!
