Oral Cancer Screenings in Pocahontas, IA
Preventive dental care is important because it keeps your teeth, gums, and the rest of your mouth healthy. One part of preventive dental care is oral cancer screenings, which help our dentists near you catch any signs of oral cancer early.
When oral cancer is treated early, treatment has higher success rates. Our dentists offer oral cancer screenings near you with regular dental cleanings and exams. For more information about oral cancer and preventive measures, call Pocahontas Dental Associates.
What is an Oral Cancer Screening?
During an oral cancer screening, one of our dentists will examine your mouth for any concerning signs. Our dentists are looking for signs of oral cancer, such as swelling, bumps, and other abnormalities.
Oral cancer can affect many areas, including the face, neck, throat, lips, jaw, tongue, and cheeks. By conducting a thorough check, our dentists can make sure they notice any issues right away.
Your mouth might be examined with the help of a fluorescent light, which will make abnormalities more noticeable. A mouth rinse can be used to change the color of the cells. This makes the abnormal cells easier to see. If one of our dentists wants to examine the cells up close, a brush may be used to sweep the area.
What Causes Oral Cancer?
There are a few different risk factors that may increase your chances of developing oral cancer. The risk factors include:
- Tobacco use
- Alcohol use
- HPV
- Sun exposure
Men are more susceptible to oral cancer than women. If you are 55 years old or older, you may be at a higher risk of developing oral cancer too.
If you some of these risk factors, it’s a good idea to talk to our dentists about it. We may suggest more frequent oral cancer screenings.
Going to the dentist’s office for preventive dental care is a great way to keep your mouth, as well as the rest of your body, healthy. We are here to help you live a healthy life and oral cancer screenings can make a big difference. Call Pocahontas Dental Associates to schedule an oral cancer screening today.
