Oral Cancer Screenings: The Importance of Early Detection
While tooth loss can be a major threat to your health, it’s not the only threat that Drs Chris Calnon, Scott Koopman, and Molly Hatala work with you to prevent. Oral cancer can have a tremendous impact on your oral and overall health. The silver lining is that, like other oral conditions, it can be prevented and is highly treatable when detected and treated early.
How do you detect oral cancer?
We perform an oral cancer screening during regular dental check-ups at Willow Creek Dentistry in Rochester, New York. During this screening, Drs. Calnon, Koopman, or Hatala examines your head and neck. They’re feeling for any strange lumps, bumps, and firm spots along the jawline and under the chin. They also feel for swollen, hard areas inside the mouth and look for anomalies such as red or white patches and sores. To confirm a diagnosis, a small bit of tissue may need to be removed from the area and analyzed by a lab.
Where do oral cancers form?
Oral cancers develop in the tissues of the mouth or throat. The most common sites include the side of the tongue, floor of the mouth (under the tongue), the lower lip, and the inside of the cheeks and gums.
How are oral cancers treated?
Cancer treatment varies depending on factors such as whether the cancer has spread beyond its site of origin. If cancer is suspected, you will be referred to a proper specialist for diagnosis and, as needed, treatment. As dentists, we take the responsibility of preventing and detecting cancer very seriously. Like other oral problems treated at Willow Creek Dentistry, many oral cancers can be prevented. They can also be successfully treated when detected early, before the cancer has spread or metastasized.
How are these cancers prevented?
Smoking and use of tobacco products are leading risk factors, as is excessive alcohol consumption. When you smoke and consume alcohol in excess, it has a multiplier effect – increasing your risk of developing oral cancer by more than 30-fold. It is best for your oral health and overall health to avoid these products. The human papillomavirus (HPV) is also a significant cause. The CDC recommends routine vaccinations starting at age 11 to 12 to reduce the risk of infections that can contribute to these and other cancers.
How often should I be screened?
The American Dental Association recommends scheduling check-ups every 6 months, or twice a year. We incorporate screenings into these regular check-ups. Technologies such as digital X-rays may also be used to examine suspicious areas that are not visible to the unaided eye.
Don’t wait for your next appointment if you are concerned about changes related to your mouth, and how you speak and eat. Vocal changes, frequent hoarseness, painful swallowing, and persistent or recurrent sores are signs and symptoms that should be evaluated. Contact Willow Creek Dentistry right away if you have concerns and/or need to schedule an appointment. Call our office in Rochester, NY at (585) 889-2559 today.
Meet Our Dental Team
Our experienced team of dentists is committed to delivering high-quality, patient-centered care backed by advanced training and ongoing education.
Together, our doctors bring decades of combined experience, advanced clinical training, and active involvement in professional organizations. Their shared commitment to continuing education and modern dentistry ensures patients receive the highest standard of care in a comfortable, trusted environment.
