The idea of an oral cancer diagnosis can be a scary thing. Because of this fear, patients can be lead to postpone getting screenings or even treatment when they notice weird symptoms. However, deciding on an oral screening shouldn’t be unsettling.
At Larson Dental, our skilled dentists and staff will do their best to ensure that your experience is pleasant and comfortable every time you come in for a screening.
Oral Screening
Ideally, oral cancer screenings should be conducted every time a patient comes in for a routine dental visit. Screenings are a critical precautionary step taken to identify any progressive signs or symptoms of oral cancer, achieve an early diagnosis, and a better survival rate.
Patients may often neglect oral screenings due to fear, lack of awareness, or simply missing routine appointments. If patients consistently skip out on routine check ups and fail to get treated, they run the risk of harboring undetected oral cancer. This will then give the cancer time to develop and spread, reducing a patient’s chances of remission.
What to Expect: Visual and Physical Exam
If you’ve never had an oral cancer screening, there’s nothing to fear. The screening is usually both visual and physical. This visual exam includes checking the face, neck, lips, oral cavity, and inside the nose. Some of the things Dr. Larson will look for when examining a patient include:
- Swellings
- Patches of color
- Bumps
- Abnormalities
- Ulcerations
- Asymmetries
In contrast, the physical exam consists of Dr. Larson checking for abnormalities around the jaw, cheeks, and head by touching and feeling. Dr. Larson may also check under the chin and the oral cavity for signs of oral cancer.
Visit Larson Dental in Prescott Valley
Avoid a late oral cancer diagnosis and come visit Dr. Larson in Prescott Valley, AZ. At Larson Dental, our caring dentists and staff will go above and beyond to help you maintain a healthy mouth and body for many years to come.