Oral cancer is a very serious oral disease that can cause permanent damage and health issues. Often, oral cancer is difficult to detect. It’s important to visit the Redondo Beach Dental Center and get screened for oral cancer to stay safe and healthy.
What Is Oral Cancer?
Oral cancer is a type of cancer that affects your mouth. It begins as a sore that forms on your cheek, tongue, lips, throat, or another part of your mouth. If caught before it develops, oral cancer isn’t life-threatening and only causes discomfort. However, if it’s not detected, it can be life-threatening and cause permanent damage.
Who Is at Risk for Oral Cancer?
Anyone can get oral cancer, but there are certain people who are more likely to get it. If you belong to one of these groups, visit the Redondo Beach Dental Center and ask for an oral cancer screening with your routine visits. At-risk people include:
- Men over the age of 50
- Smokers or tobacco users, especially those who use chewing tobacco products
- Those who have family members who have had cancer, especially oral cancer
- Those who have a poor diet lacking in fruits and vegetables
- Anyone who has experienced too much sun exposure
What Are the Symptoms of Oral Cancer?
The main symptom of oral cancer is a sore in your mouth that does not go away. This sore can develop anywhere, including on the inside of your cheek, lips, throat, and more. These sores typically bleed and are uncomfortable or painful.
Other symptoms of oral cancer include a persistent sore throat, pain, tingling, or numbness in your face, mouth or throat, ear pain, jaw pain and swelling, and weight loss. It’s important to visit your dentist or doctor if you notice any of these symptoms, especially if they don’t seem to go away.
How Does the Screening Work?
The oral cancer screening performed by our expert dentist at the Dental Center of Redondo Beach is typically a painless inspection. The dentist will begin by examining all parts of your mouth, including your lips, teeth, throat, gums, and tongue. If the dentist notices any sores on your mouth, they may want to perform a biopsy to ensure that the sore is not cancerous.
If you have any specific areas of pain or parts of your mouth with oral cancer symptoms, the dentist will spend extra time examining these areas. Oral cancer can sometimes be difficult to diagnose when it’s just beginning, but with our dentist’s expert eye and training, you won’t have to worry about your oral cancer going undetected.
Get Screened Today!
Getting screened for oral cancer is one of the best things you can do for your health. Whether you have symptoms or a clean bill of health, it’s important that you schedule your oral screening today with the Dental Center of Redondo Beach.
