Oral cancer screenings are a crucial part of your regular dental exams, and they’re vital for all adults today. These screenings can detect the earliest signs of disease long before you experience symptoms or complications.
Our highly skilled dentists are committed to keeping your oral health in great shape at Exceptional Dentistry of the Golden Isles in Brunswick, GA. We expertly evaluate your oral health using the latest state-of-the-art tools, allowing us to detect oral cancer in its earliest stages, when it’s easiest treated.
In this blog, we explain what you should know about oral cancer screenings, including why they’re so important.
How Oral Cancer Screenings Work
Oral cancer screenings happen during routine dental exams. During this screening, we carefully evaluate all the soft tissues in and around your mouth. We’re looking for sores, unusual lesions, or other unusual areas.
But we don’t just rely on our eyes. Oral cancer isn’t always obvious in its earliest stages, as it starts in the hidden layers of skin that aren’t visible. We use the state-of-the-art VELscope® VX. This tool illuminates unhealthy areas beneath the tissue. The VELscope VX complements visual examination very effectively.
Why Oral Cancer Screenings Are So Important
In many cases, oral cancers aren’t diagnosed until they’ve already moved to the nearby tissues or even into other parts of the body. At that point, the cancer is more challenging to treat.
The earliest stages of oral cancer are the most treatable. With oral cancer screenings, you can get a head start on treatment. In this way, oral cancer screenings give you the information you need to protect your health and prevent cancer from spreading. Screenings could even save your life.
When Should I Start Oral Cancer Screenings?
We include oral cancer screenings in routine dental exams for adults. The Oral Cancer Foundation recommends starting at age 18 and continuing with annual screenings throughout adulthood. We may start oral cancer screening before age 18 if patients use tobacco products.
Who Is at Risk for Oral Cancer?
If you recognize any of these risk factors, oral cancer screenings are particularly vital.
- Smoking or vaping
- Using chewing tobacco
- Excessive alcohol consumption
- Prolonged sun exposure
- Having human papillomavirus (HPV)
While these factors raise the likelihood of developing oral cancer, even people without these risk factors should still undergo screenings because oral cancer can affect anyone, regardless of lifestyle choices.
Oral Cancer Screenings in Brunswick, GA
We’re here to safeguard your oral health, so don’t forget your regular appointments. Call us today at 912-264-5550 to book your appointment.
