Why Oral Cancer Screenings Work

Why Oral Cancer Screenings Work

103582787When you visit your dentist regularly, he or she has the opportunity to thoroughly examine your mouth to check for signs of decay, cavities, periodontal disease, and oral cancer. Keep reading to find out why these oral cancer screenings are so important.
They Help with Early Detection
As with most kinds of cancer, the best chance you have to beat oral cancer is to find it early. If you visit the dentist once every six months, he or she has the opportunity to spot signs of oral cancer in its earliest stages, which gives you the best chance to treat it before it develops into a larger health concern.
They Enable a Dentist to Check on High-Risk Patients
People who smoke or use other forms of tobacco, drink a lot of alcohol, or have a history with some form of oral cancer are at a higher risk of developing this kind of cancer. Oral cancer screenings help dentists monitor these high-risk patients to see if any problems develop. If they spot any signs of an issue, they can provide immediate treatment.
They Lead to More Thorough Tests
If your dentist notices anything strange in your mouth, he or she can take the appropriate steps to determine if you actually have oral cancer. The dentist will probably request that you come in for a follow-up visit within a few weeks. If there are still any abnormalities in your mouth at the second visit, the dentist can decide whether or not to proceed with a biopsy to determine if the unusual areas in your mouth are cancerous.
Whether you are a high-risk patient or you just want a routine oral cancer screening, Dr. John R. Carson is here for you. Dr. Carson combines expertise with top technology to offer all of his patients the best oral health services in the Tucson area. To learn more about Dr. Carson or to schedule an appointment, call (520) 514-7203.