Screening for oral cancer during a scheduled oral health appointment can help uncover a cancer in its premature phases and just might save your life. Oral cancer means there is an uncontrolled cell development inside the oral cavity and throat. Early warning symptoms of oral cancer might come in the form of a white or red discoloured lump or patch of skin surrounding the mouth, sores that bleed easily or that sores that do not heal within a couple of weeks, an area that has become hardened, thickened, or lifted, a rough tissue patch, chewing or swallowing difficulties, or a persistent sore pharynx.
The oral cancer screen is performed every time you visit the office for a check up or cleaning. Please notify us if you happen to see any warning signs as premature detection is so vitally important. Please do not disregard any of the above stated warning signs for the reason that these indicators are not causing any soreness. Often pre-cancerous or cancerous lesions will be pain-free.
The first phase in the testing process is to utilize a cancer screener to help analyze and find irregular tissues. Using a VelScope light, we can investigate certain areas of the oral cavity searching for abnormalities. If any lesions are present, the dentist can remove a portion (in house biopsy) to determine if the lesion is cancerous or pre-cancerous.
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