Dentist in Kernersville on the Importance of Oral Cancer Screenings

April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month, which makes it the perfect time to sit down and talk about this disease — and why getting a routine screening is one of the most important things you can do for your oral and overall health. You can have an oral cancer screening performed by your dentist in Kernersville at the end of your next checkup and cleaning. It shouldn’t take more than a few minutes, and it could save your life — literally. Keep reading to find out more about how.

About Oral Cancer

Oral cancer is that of the hard and soft tissues in and around the mouth and throat. While it is not one of the more talked-about cancers, estimates say this disease kills one American per hour, 365 days per year. Oral cancer is closely linked with the human papillomavirus, which has caused the spike in cases affecting young, otherwise healthy patients. Young men are at an especially high risk of oral cancer linked to HPV.

There is good news in all of this, however — and it’s that early detection of oral cancer can greatly increase the chances of successful treatment. That’s why we’re promoting this simple examination during Oral Cancer Awareness month!

What to Expect From an Oral Cancer Screening

The oral cancer screening can be taken care of at the end of a regularly-scheduled appointment, or you can book a visit purely for a screening. We’ll begin with a brief series of questions to find out if anything unusual has occurred with your oral health lately. A change in the tone of voice, difficulty swallowing, or a chronically sore throat should be reported. After this discussion is complete, your mouth will be thoroughly examined.

Some of the things we are looking for in an oral cancer screening include:

• Lesions that have not healed for more than two weeks
• Lumps and bumps
• Rough patches
• Discoloration of the soft tissue (pink or white spots)
• Swelling or asymmetry of the face
• Other irregularities that could indicate precancerous or cancerous cells

After all of the tissues have been examined, we will advise you on next steps as needed. A lesion should be examined right away, but other irregularities may just require close monitoring.

Let’s Honor Oral Cancer Awareness Month

Adult patients of all ages should receive an oral cancer screening annually. If you haven’t ever had an oral cancer screening in Kernersville, or if you have in the past but it’s been a while, why not join us in honoring April’s Oral Cancer Awareness Month? We can give you real peace of mind with a brief screening. It could be the best decision you ever make!

About the Author

Dr. Veronica S. Walker is a general dentist offering comprehensive dental services to Kernersville and surrounding areas. To learn more about oral cancer or to schedule a screening during this month of awareness, we invite you to contact the office at (336) 993-3727.