Oral Cancer Screening – Flower Mound, TX
Essential Preventive Care for Better Oral & Overall Health
Oral cancer is one of the biggest scares someone could have regarding their oral and overall health, so it’s incredibly important to detect and treat any signs early on. That’s why our team at Lauri Barge, DDS performs oral cancer screenings during each dental checkup. Since you’ll usually schedule these routine visits every six months, this will give us a chance to consistently monitor your mouth so that we can address any indications of this disease before it can worsen. Keep reading to learn more about this preventive measure or give us a call today to schedule an appointment!
Why Choose Lauri Barge, DDS for Oral Cancer Screenings?
- Prioritizes Preventive Treatments
- Utilizes Advanced Dental Technology
- Accepts Insurance & Alternative Financing
Signs & Symptoms of Oral Cancer
While the majority of bumps, sores, or lumps in your mouth aren’t problematic, you’ll want to notify our team immediately if you notice any of the following symptoms:
- Difficulty swallowing
- Ulcers in the mouth
- White or red patches in your mouth
- Pain when swallowing
- Chronic sore throat or hoarseness
- Lumps in/around your face or neck for over two weeks
- Discomfort in your mouth or ears
- Numb spots around the mouth
Oral cancers typically present themselves as scale-shaped patches on the side of the tongue, the lower lip, or the floor of the mouth. Contact us right away if you see any of these indications so that we can screen you as soon as possible.
What Does My Dentist Look for During a Screening?
Did you know that dentists alone are responsible for catching 84% of oral cancers ahead of time? This makes it extremely important to visit Dr. Barge for dental checkups biannually so that she can detect and help treat problems early on. She’ll typically check for abnormalities or asymmetries in your mouth that could lean toward oral cancer, that way she can work with your primary physician to develop the proper treatment plan in case she does find signs.
What Should I Expect During My Screening?
Your appointment should typically involve a visual and physical exam of your gums, tongue, and the rest of your mouth. Our team will also check your face, neck, head, throat, cheeks, and any nearby areas that could show indications of oral cancer, and the evaluation should only take several minutes to complete. We might also feel around your jawbone and lymph nodes to ensure there aren’t any bumps, lumps, or sores.
Diagnosis
During your dental checkups, we’ll visually and physically inspect your oral health for any symptoms that could point to diseases like oral cancer. If we happen to notice anything suspect, we’ll perform a brush test and move on to a biopsy if necessary. We may even contact your primary physician so that they can be notified about any situation we discover.