Oral Cancer Screening in Forest Lake
Oral Cancer Screening Near You
An oral cancer screening is an exam performed by your dentist to look for any precancerous symptoms or existing cancer in a patient’s mouth. The goal is to identify oral cancer early on or any signs of it, when there is a greater chance for treatment or prevention. Most dentists will perform this exam during a patient’s routine visit and may use additional tests to identify any areas of abnormal cell growth in the mouth.
Why Receive an Oral Cancer Screening?
People with a high risk of oral cancer may have more beneficial factors in receiving an oral cancer screening near you yearly, however, studies haven’t clearly proven this. Factors that can increase the risk of developing oral cancer are the following:
- Tobacco use – of any kind – such as cigarettes, cigars, pipes, chewing tobacco, among others.
- Heavy use of alcohol
- Excessive sun exposure
- Previous oral cancer diagnosis
What to Expect
During an oral cancer screening in Forest Lake, MN 55025, your dentist will look at the inside of your mouth for any signs of abnormal lesions. Your dentist will also check for any lumps by feeling inside and outer areas of the jaw and mouth.
Risks and Limitations
When examining a patient, it is important that x-rays and exams are utilized to ensure the patient’s oral health is optimum, however, oral cancer exams have some limitations such as the following:
- Oral cancer screenings near you could lead to additional tests. Many people have sores in their mouths which are non-cancerous. An oral exam does not determine which sores are cancerous and which ones are not.
- Oral cancer screenings in Forest Lake, MN 55025 are not effective in detecting all mouth cancers. Small cancerous legions can go undetected without further testing.