Richmond Dentist Dr. Way Screens for Oral Cancer

By definition, a cancer screening is meant to detect cancer before symptoms appear. At Westhampton Dentistry, Richmond dentist Dr. Way performs an oral cancer screening at each and every dental checkup. Why? Because early detection means a far greater chance of survival and that’s no exaggeration. Every year, slightly fewer than 50,000 Americans are diagnosed with oral or pharyngeal cancer, and only about 50 percent of those people will survive beyond five years. Found early, however, oral cancer is highly treatable and often curable.

What are the Signs of Oral Cancer?

During an oral cancer screening, Dr. Way or one of the other dental professionals at Westhampton Dentistry are looking for specific signs that may be indicative of a cancerous spot in your mouth. You should be familiar with these signs, too, so you can be on the lookout for them during the time between your dental checkups. They include:

• A sore anywhere in your mouth or on your lips that will not heal
• A lump or thickening of any oral tissue
• A white, red or gray patch that may be smooth or scaly
• A spot in your mouth that feels numb
• A persistent sore throat
• Difficulty chewing or swallowing
• Loose teeth or dentures that no longer fit properly
• Jaw pain

What Can You Expect During an Oral Cancer Screening?

At Westhampton Dentistry, we take the time to conduct a complete and thorough screening. We begin by looking at your lips and the symmetry of your face. Then, we examine your mouth, looking inside your cheeks, at your tongue, under your tongue, at the roof of your mouth and at your gums. We’ll have you stick out your tongue and say, “ah,” so we can see your throat, too. Finally, we’ll feel the lymph nodes in your neck and jaw and talk to you about your smoking and alcohol consumption habits.

Testing for Oral Cancer

Two types of biopsy can be done if we should happen to find a suspicious spot. The first is a brush biopsy, which can detect potentially dangerous cells in the early stage of oral cancer. The other is a scalpel biopsy. During this procedure that requires local anesthesia, a small sample of tissue is removed for testing.

Call Your Richmond Dentist Today

For your oral cancer screening or for any other dental healthcare needs, call the dentist Richmond trusts, Dr. Way at Westhampton Dentistry.