Oral Cancer Screenings in Carrboro, NC
Oral cancer screenings are a vital part of preventive dental care and play a key role in protecting your overall health. During routine dental visits, these quick and painless screenings allow us to identify early warning signs that may not be visible or noticeable to you.
At Milltown Family Dentistry, we prioritize early detection because catching oral cancer in its earliest stages greatly improves treatment success and long-term outcomes. To learn more or schedule with our Carrboro dental team, please contact us.
Contact UsWhat does an oral cancer screening involve?
An oral cancer screening is a quick, painless exam typically performed during your routine dental visits. Your dentist carefully examines the lips, tongue, cheeks, gums, throat, and floor of the mouth for abnormal tissue, sores, or color changes. We also check the neck and jaw for lumps and may use advanced screening technology to detect early changes not visible to the eye. Should you have any specific concerns you would like to discuss, please feel free to do so.
What are symptoms of oral cancer to watch out for?
Symptoms of oral cancer may include sores that do not heal, red or white patches inside the mouth, unexplained bleeding, numbness, or persistent pain. Other warning signs include difficulty chewing or swallowing, changes in speech, jaw stiffness, or a lump in the neck or mouth. If any unusual changes like these arise and last more than two weeks, please contact our office to schedule an appointment with our team.
Who is at risk for developing oral cancer?
Anyone can develop oral cancer, but certain factors increase risk. Tobacco use, heavy alcohol consumption, HPV infection, prolonged sun exposure to the lips, and being over 40 years old are common risk factors. Men are statistically at higher risk as well. Of course, we recommend routine screenings for all patients regardless of risk level.
Need to schedule your next routine visit with our team? Contact us today!