Oral Cancer Screening
Make An AppointmentOral cancer can develop in any part of the mouth. With regular oral cancer screenings with your dentist, you can stay on top of cancer-related concerns or risks. At Patriot Family Dental in Clarksville, we’re proud to help clients put their oral health first by offering oral cancer screenings.
What Is An Oral Cancer Screening?
An oral cancer screening is a physical examination performed by your dentist that checks for signs of oral cancer or precancerous symptoms. This may be performed during your routine dental visit, or you can schedule an oral cancer screening on its own.
During the screening, your dentist will look for abnormal red or white lesions or patches. He or she may order a biopsy if the area looks questionable.
Many people have abnormal sores in their mouths that are usually noncancerous. An oral exam doesn’t determine if a sore is cancerous, so if your dentist finds an unusual sore, a biopsy may be necessary.
Who Should Get An Oral Cancer Screening?
Many individuals have abnormal sores in the mouth that are not precancerous or cancerous. However, for individuals with multiple risk factors for oral cancer, a screening may be beneficial.
Who is at greatest risk for oral cancer?
- People who use tobacco use of any kind, including cigarettes, cigars, pipes, chewing tobacco and snuff, among others
- Heavy alcohol users
- People with previous oral cancer diagnosis
- People with certain strains of the HPV virus
- People who chew betel quid
- People with certain genetic syndromes like Fanconi anemia
- People with a diet low in fruits and vegetables
Schedule an Appointment Today
If your concerned about your oral health, visit your dental office today. Your dentist will know if oral cancer screening is appropriate for you. You can also ask about ways you can reduce your risk of oral cancer, such as quitting smoking, not excessively drinking alcohol, and adding healthy foods to your diet.
Contact Patriot Family Dental of Clarksville
today to schedule your oral cancer screening.
Ready to schedule an appointment at our Clarksville dental office? Simply fill out the form below, and someone on our team will get back to you as soon as possible.