At Sorrento Dental, we are committed to your oral health, which is why every time we see a patient for a routine dental exam and cleaning, we screen for oral cancer. Like with most cancers (and most dental health issues), early detection makes all the difference. It only takes a few minutes to screen for oral cancer, but it can save your life!
Signs of Oral Cancer
Whenever we do an oral cancer screening, we are looking not only for symptoms that indicate the presence of oral cancer, but for pre-cancerous conditions as well. Here are some of the things we are looking for:
- Soft tissue spots that are painful or tender to the touch
- Any lumps or rough spots
- Any discolorations, such as red spots or white spots anywhere in your mouth or throat
- Any difficulty chewing or swallowing
While this is not an exhaustive list, and while any of these symptoms could be caused by other issues, they are good warning signs to pay attention to. We are trained in identifying these symptoms, and if there is any indication that there may be a problem, we will notify you and refer you to an oncologist, if necessary.
As always, we recommend that our patients avoid all tobacco products, maintain a healthy diet, and limit your exposure to the sun. If you have any concerns about your oral health, please give us a call immediately so we can see you for an emergency appointment.