Oral Cancer Screenings

Oral Cancer Screenings in Kernersville, NC

Not only is a dentist an expert at treating teeth and gums, but they treat other ailments within the mouth, neck, and head. To help detect a deadly type of cancer, our dentist near you does oral cancer screenings in Kernersville, NC during routine examinations.

How We Do an Oral Cancer Screening

Dr. Murray at Welden Village Dental will do an oral cancer screening during one of your routine visits or if you go to see them about symptoms you’re having that indicate oral cancer. It’s recommended the screenings take place every year, so if you maintain regular dental visits, then they will do yours at least once, if not twice, a year.

The screening is quick, and our dentist can do it while they are examining your teeth. They check the mouth and cheek tissues for red or white spots and sores that are not healing. After putting on gloves, our dentist feels along the outside of the neck, cheeks, tongue, and around the lips for hard lumps. These screenings can detect oral cancer in its early stages, which is when it’s most curable.

Oral Cancer Symptoms

Along with the red or white spots and lumps, oral cancer has several other symptoms that include:

  • Difficulty chewing or swallowing
  • A sore or lump in the mouth, throat, or lips
  • Difficulty moving the jaw or tongue
  • Swelling around the jaw
  • A sore throat that lingers

Don’t panic if you have any of these symptoms because they could be from other issues, such as strep throat, canker sores, or fever blisters. However, if the symptoms linger for two weeks or more, make an appointment to have our dentist in Kernersville, NC examine the symptoms.

Although our dentist at Welden Village Dental can help detect oral cancer, they don’t treat it. If they find anything suspicious, they will encourage you to make an appointment with your physician or an oncologist to have a more thorough examination.

If caught early, all forms of oral cancer are curable. So, if you suspect something is wrong in your mouth or throat, make an appointment with Dr. Murray for oral cancer screenings near you.

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