Cancer in any form is dangerous to your health, especially if it spreads to vital organs. Mouth or oral cancer is diagnosed in over 50,000 people each year and ends the life of close to 10,000 Americans. Like most cancers, oral cancer is the most treatable in the early stages before it begins spreading to other areas of the body. To detect mouth cancer early, it is important to have specialized scans to identify the signs. Carrington Square Dental offers oral cancer screening for early detection at our dental center in Waxhaw, NC.
There are very few symptoms of oral cancer in the early stages. This is why this silent disease can be so deadly. Most people do not see any signs until the cancer has progressed and possibly spread to other areas like the lymph nodes. However, the early signs of oral cancer can be detected with specialized screening that can detect small changes in the tissues in the mouth. This screening is non-invasive and can be performed during your regular dental checkups. Adding this preventive scan is one of the best ways to detect oral cancer and begin treatment to protect your overall health.
Identify Mouth Cancer Early
It can be difficult to identify mouth cancer early, but screening and watching for symptoms can help. While there are not many signs of mouth cancer in its earliest stages, there are some symptoms you should not ignore. Some people may experience symptoms, even in the beginning stages, and should receive an oral cancer screening for diagnosis. Some of the symptoms of oral cancer include:
- Red or white bumps on the oral tissues
- Sores that do not heal inside the mouth within two weeks
- Lumps or bumps that do not go away
- Pain or difficulty when swallowing
Changes to the tissue on your gums, roof/bottom of mouth, tongue or throat should be examined by a dentist. If you have any oral health concerns, call our team at Carrington Square Dental. We can schedule a dental exam and perform an oral cancer screening to determine the cause of your symptoms. Contact our office in Waxhaw, NC, near Weddington and Wesley Chapel to book your appointment.