Oral Cancer Screening Simi Valley, CA
At Alamo Family Dentistry, we strongly recommend scheduling an oral cancer screening today. If you have not yet completed this important preventive step, now is the time. Oral cancer is a serious condition that often receives limited public attention. There are very few awareness campaigns, community events, or fundraising efforts dedicated to its prevention and care. Even so, oral cancer takes one life each day in the United States. The high mortality rate is largely due to many individuals delaying professional evaluation until the disease has already progressed. Like all cancers, early diagnosis and timely treatment are essential for successful outcomes. The earlier potential warning signs or risk factors are identified, the greater your chances are of overcoming the disease successfully.
Is oral cancer screening routinely performed?
Unfortunately, no. A large number of people have never received an oral cancer screening, which is one reason the condition is frequently discovered in later stages. At our Simi Valley, CA dental practice, we encourage patients who have never been screened to schedule an appointment as soon as possible. In most situations, screenings can then be performed every six months. If you live in the Simi Valley area or nearby communities, call (805) 520-1711 to book your visit with our office.
What takes place during an oral cancer screening?
At Alamo Family Dentistry, we thoroughly inspect your mouth for signs of abnormal tissue changes. Often, we look for visible symptoms, including red or white patches, raised bumps, rough spots, hard masses, or movement in tooth positioning. Much of the examination involves a careful visual review. We also gently feel the inside of your mouth and cheeks while wearing gloves to identify any unusual lumps or hardened tissue beneath the surface. Since oral cancer can develop in any area of the mouth, a detailed examination is essential. As dental advancements continue to improve, we may also use modern screening technology during your appointment, and we will gladly explain each step of the process. Our team ensures the screening is comfortable, gentle, and stress-free.
How frequently should oral cancer screenings be scheduled?
We recommend visiting our Simi Valley, CA dental office for your first oral cancer screening. Based on your health history, lifestyle habits, and examination results, we will determine how often future screenings should occur. Patients with elevated risk factors may benefit from annual evaluations.
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Who is at risk for developing oral cancer?
A common misunderstanding is that oral cancer only affects older men. In the past, men were diagnosed with oral cancer at a ratio of 10:1 compared to women. Over the years, those statistics have shifted, likely because the lifestyles and habits of men and women have become more alike. As more women consume alcohol and use tobacco products, the reported ratio has changed to approximately 2:1. More recently, medical studies have confirmed that certain strains of the HPV virus can also contribute to oral cancer. This discovery has changed how we evaluate this disease and determine who should be screened. Since the HPV virus may be contracted during the teenage years, both men and women, including teenagers and older adults, may develop this serious condition. We encourage all adults to receive oral cancer screenings. However, if you smoke, drink alcohol, or are aware that you carry the HPV virus, you should be especially proactive about regular screenings.
Do you provide treatment for oral cancer?
No, at Alamo Family Dentistry, we do not provide treatment for oral cancer. Our role is to help identify it early. When dealing with cancer, early diagnosis is extremely important and can potentially save your life. Because we are familiar with the normal appearance of your mouth, we are able to recognize unusual changes or abnormalities. If we notice any areas that appear cancerous or pre-cancerous, we may perform a biopsy. During this procedure, a small sample of tissue is removed from your mouth for additional laboratory testing. In certain situations, we may refer you directly to an oncologist in the Simi Valley area so additional examinations can be completed and treatment options can be discussed with you.
When should you contact Alamo Family Dentistry?
You can serve as the first line of defense in identifying oral cancer early. We suggest taking a few moments to examine your mouth after brushing your teeth. Simply run your tongue across your cheeks, gums, and the roof of your mouth. If you detect any rough areas, lumps, or bumps, make a note of them. Repeat the same process several days later. If the irritation resulted from illness or eating foods that were too rough, it should disappear within a few days. If the issue remains, you should contact our office to schedule an oral cancer screening and examination. Another symptom to monitor is teeth that begin shifting without an obvious cause. If teeth move unexpectedly, something may be forcing them out of position. In some instances, that cause may be cancer.
How can oral cancer be prevented?
The most important step you can take to lower your risk is to stop the use of smokeless tobacco products. Historically, this has been one of the leading causes of oral cancer development. Although smokeless tobacco may be less harmful to your lungs than cigarettes, it can increase your risk of oral cancer by as much as sixty times. You should also quit smoking all tobacco products and reduce your alcohol consumption. Alcohol in small amounts does not appear especially harmful, but frequent drinking or binge drinking may significantly increase your risk. You should also reduce excessive sun exposure and avoid sunburn whenever possible. Regarding the HPV virus, speak with your primary physician to determine whether you qualify for the vaccine. You may also consider testing to learn whether you currently carry the virus.
Schedule Your Appointment
Routine oral cancer screenings may assist with early detection. If you live in Simi Valley, CA, contact 805-520-1711 to schedule an appointment with our dental office today.
Questions Answered on This Page
Q. What happens during an oral cancer screening?
Q. Do you provide treatment for oral cancer?
Q. Is there anything I can do at home to help prevent oral cancer?
People Also Ask
Q. What do I need for a dental checkup?
Definition of Dental Terminology
- Biopsy
- A biopsy is a medical test that a medical professional uses to extract a sample of tissue to determine the exact cause of a disease.
- Dental Checkup
- A dental checkup is an appointment that involves cleaning the teeth, identifying any signs of infection and removing said signs of infection at least once every six months in the office.
- Dental Prophylaxis
- A dental prophylaxis is a professional and detailed cleaning that involves the removal of plaque, calculus and stains from the teeth.
- Dentist
- A dentist, also known as a dental surgeon, is a doctor who specializes in the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases and conditions of the oral cavity.
- Dysphagia
- Dysphagia is the difficulty or discomfort hat one can experience when swallowing due to this disease.
- Gingivitis
- Gingivitis is the inflammation of gum tissue that results from plaque, other infections in the mouth and poor oral hygiene.
- Oral Cavity
- The term oral cavity is another name for the mouth, including the lips, cheeks, gums, teeth, the front of the tongue and the roof of the mouth.
- Oral Mucosa
- The oral mucosa is the mucous membrane that lines the inside of the mouth consisting of oral epithelium and lamina propria.
- Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma
- Oral squamous cell carcinoma is a common form of oral cancer that occurs within the mouth, which can also result from excessive smoking and alcohol use.
- Otalgia
- Otalgia is a type of earache that can result from multiple causes, including oral health issues and infections.
- Precancerous Lesions
- Precancerous lesions are morphologically altered tissue that has a high probability of causing oral cancer to occur in those specific spots.
- Preventive Dentistry
- Preventive dentistry is the dentistry that focuses on maintaining oral health in order to prevent the spread of plaque, the formation of tartar and infections in the mouth.
- Tartar
- Tartar forms when plaque builds up on the surface of the teeth and calcifies into a hard surface that is much more difficult to remove and will require professional treatment.
- Tobacco Use
- Tobacco use can cause significant problems for one’s overall oral health including staining and promoting certain infections.
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