Cancer is always a scary prospect, especially when it goes undetected. Oral cancers that affect the mouth and throat are often silent without signs or symptoms in the early stages. If diagnosed early, oral cancer has a high success rate for treatment, but it can require medical screening to catch in the first stages. As part of our general dentistry services at Roswell Complete Dentistry, we provide oral cancer screening at our dental center in the Alpharetta and Roswell, GA, area.
There are approximately 50,000 new cases of oral cancer diagnosed each year in the U.S. This disease can affect the tongue, gums, throat and other oral tissues. The danger is that it can damage the tissues and spread to other areas if not treated. An estimated 5,000 people die due to oral cancers each year, and these are deaths that can often be prevented with early detection and treatment.
Signs of Mouth Cancer
While most people do not have symptoms in the early stages of mouth or throat cancer, there are some that do. If you have any abnormalities in the mouth, they should always be evaluated by a dentist or doctor. Some of the possible signs and symptoms of oral cancer can include:
- Oral sores that do not heal (two weeks or longer)
- White or red patches
- Hoarse or sore throat
- Difficulty swallowing or lump in throat
- Changes in oral skin tissue
- Lumps in tongue, gums or throat
If you have any of these symptoms, especially a combination of symptoms, schedule a checkup with your dentist or doctor.
Mouth and Oral Cancer Testing
At Roswell Complete Dentistry, we can provide a non-invasive oral cancer screening as part of your preventive health care. This test can be performed during your routine checkup. If there are any signs of possible oral cancer, we can recommend further testing. It is our goal to help our patients maintain their oral and overall health.
If you are concerned about oral cancer, make sure to have regular screenings. Contact us at Roswell Complete Dentistry to schedule your next checkup, and ask about testing for mouth cancer. Call our Roswell, GA, dental center to book your appointment.