Oral Cancer Screenings Can Save Lives
At Dr. Bostani’s Advanced Dental in Burbank, California, we offer a wide array of preventative dental services to optimize our patients’ oral health and overall wellness. In addition to preventive exams and cleanings, we also provide oral cancer screenings to aid in the early detection of this serious condition. Oral cancer screenings are a quick and painless way to identify areas of concern early when they are more easily treated. To learn more about these screenings, please give us a call today.
The Importance of Oral Cancer Screenings
In the United States, nearly one adult dies every hour from oral cancer. Furthermore, only half of those patients diagnosed with oral cancers each year will live five years past their diagnosis. Routine oral cancer screenings for early diagnosis are vitally important to reduce the number of deaths from these diseases.
Risk Factors for Oral Cancer
Smoking and tobacco use are the biggest risk factors for oral cancers, but they aren’t the only ones. Other factors that can increase your risk are:
- Family history
- Age
- HPV
- High alcohol consumption
- Anemia
Signs and Symptoms of Oral Cancer
There are certain signs that we look for during the oral cancer screening. If you notice any of the following symptoms, you should schedule a screening as soon as possible.
- Persistent mouth sores that don’t seem to heal
- Bumps along the gum tissue
- Change in color of the gum tissue
- Difficulty swallowing
- Dramatic weight loss
- Persistent sore throat
- Unexplained bleeding
How We Perform Oral Cancer Screenings
Oral cancer screenings are a quick examination that can be completed during routine visits. We’ll ask you a series of questions about risk factors and family health history, as well as perform a visual examination of the mouth and feel the lymph nodes for any signs of swelling or hardening.
Oral Cancer Screenings Can Save Your Life
Since we offer oral cancer screenings as a component of our routine preventative care, maintaining your twice-yearly dental visits are one of the best things you can do to aid in the early detection of these cancers, especially if you are at an increased risk. We also encourage our patients who smoke or use tobacco to quit and are happy to provide resources to help. We will love to welcome you if you are looking for a new dental home in the Burbank, CA, area. Please call us at (818) 918-5533 to book an appointment.