Oral Cancer Screenings in Shawnee, KS
As with any type of cancer, regular screenings can help in the early identification of oral cancer. Ideally, you should get screened for cancer twice every year during your biannual dental exams and cleanings. However, depending on unique circumstances, a dentist may require a patient to undergo more frequent screenings. For instance, our dentist can ask you to come in more often if you’ve recently battled oral cancer.
Regardless of the frequency, the underlying objective is to catch the disease while it’s in its early stages to allow for successful treatment. When found in good time, oral cancer is treatable through chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and even surgery, or a combination of any of these.
Dental Care Shawnee is your trusted dental practice for all matters related to oral cancer screenings in Shawnee, KS. Our experienced dentists comprehensively screen our patients for oral cancer using top-notch dental technology.
Causes and Symptoms of Oral Cancer
Cancer is caused by an abnormal mutation of cells in the body. Scientists are yet to pinpoint the precise factors or events that trigger this sort of mutation. However, there are notable factors that increase your susceptibility to cancer. For oral cancer, risk factors include heavy smoking or tobacco use, sun exposure, human papillomavirus (HPV), genetic predisposition, compromised immune system, and heavy alcohol intake, among others.
Signs of oral cancer include:
- Pain in your mouth, neck, and facial areas
- Persistent sores or ulcers in your mouth
- Bad breath
- Feeling as if you have something always stuck in your throat
- Persistent coughing
- Difficulty when swallowing or moving your jaw
- Unexplained bleeding
- Loosening of the teeth
During your appointment, our dentist in Shawnee, KS will carefully examine you to check for these signs and more. If you’re showing a number of these symptoms, our dentist will conduct or order a biopsy. Only through a biopsy can one be definitively diagnosed with oral cancer.
Getting Ready for Oral Cancer Screenings
You don’t need a lot of preparation for your oral cancer screenings in Shawnee, KS. Before your appointment, ensure you:
- Are well updated on your medical history, as our dentist near you will ask you this.
- Brush your teeth thoroughly and floss too, to make the examination pleasant for you and the dentist as well.
- Carry any medications that you’re currently on. If you can’t bring the medications with you, make a list of the same to share with the dentist.
- If you’re visiting our dental practice for the first time, ask your previous dentist to share your dental records with us, or carry a file with you. If you don’t have any previous records, our dental team will be happy to open a file for you, complete with your updated information and dental x-rays.
Contact Dental Care Shawnee today if you’re looking for a dentist in Shawnee, KS who offers comprehensive and compassionate oral cancer screenings near you.